Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road 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:
The Women Who Built Hollywood
Weds., Mar. 22, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT
Glenview Public Library
Free Online Program via Zoom
Women have been highly influential in the film industry ever since the Silent Era, both on-screen and off. Join film historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a presentation about the lives and legacies of some of classic Hollywood’s incredible female directors and stars who possessed a keen sense of business acumen and innovation during the early days of the film industry. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.
The Irish in Hollywood
Thurs., Mar. 23, 2023, 12pm-1pm CT
Fountaindale Public Library
Online Program via Zoom
Ring in St. Patrick’s Day with “The Irish in Hollywood!” The films of Hollywood’s Golden Age offered many depictions and talents from Ireland. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she explores a selection of the studio system’s top stars and classic films that paid tribute to Ireland. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.
The Women Who Built Hollywood
Thurs., Mar. 23, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT (IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL)
Elmhurst Public Library
125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126
*Book signing of Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I will take place after the presentation.
Women have been highly influential in the film industry ever since the Silent Era, both on-screen and off. Join film historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a presentation about the lives and legacies of some of classic Hollywood’s incredible female directors and stars who possessed a keen sense of business acumen and innovation during the early days of the film industry. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. Copies of Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I will be sold at this event.
REGISTER HERE FOR IN-PERSON.
REGISTER HERE FOR VIRTUAL.
Chicago: The First Hollywood
Mon., Mar. 27, 2023, 1pm-2:30pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Oakton Community College
7701 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077
Before the film industry moved West, it was firmly rooted in Chicago. Its key players included Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, “Broncho Billy” Anderson, and many more. Join film historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a presentation about the film industry’s early days in Chicago, as she discusses former silent film studios in Chicago, film stars who worked in Chicago, and the legacies of these studios and stars today. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. PRIVATE EVENT.
How’d They Do That?!
Tues. Mar. 28, 2023, 1pm-2:30pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Oakton Community College
7701 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077
Classic Hollywood has achieved a wide variety of iconic scenes that simply take one’s breath away. Movie characters have parted the Red Sea, dodged crop dusters, scaled skyscrapers, and more, leaving audiences wondering, “How’d they do that?!” Join Film Historian Annette Bochenek for a presentation about how some of classic Hollywood’s most memorable movie scenes were developed, approached, and accomplished. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. PRIVATE EVENT.
The Women Who Built Hollywood
Tues., Mar. 28, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT (IN-PERSON)
The Stage Left Cafe
125 W Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Women have been highly influential in the film industry ever since the Silent Era, both on-screen and off. Join film historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a presentation about the lives and legacies of some of classic Hollywood’s incredible female directors and stars who possessed a keen sense of business acumen and innovation during the early days of the film industry. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. Tickets are $15 per person. BUY TICKETS HERE.
Bombshells: Hollywood’s Leading Ladies
Thurs., Mar. 30, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Wheaton Public Library
225 N Cross St, Wheaton, IL 60187
*Book signing of Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I will take place after the presentation.
Hollywood has had its fair share of leading ladies, with many of them remaining iconic to this day as studio bombshells. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents the history of the Hollywood bombshell, some of the top Hollywood bombshells, and their legacies today. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. Copies of Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I will be sold at this event. REGISTER HERE.
Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes
Thurs., Apr. 6, 2023, 2pm-3pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Northbrook Public Library
1201 Cedar Ln, Northbrook, IL 60062
In the early days of comedy and beyond, many top-notch classic comediennes have made audiences laugh. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents about the funny women of film, television, and radio, including Gracie Allen, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, and more. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Hollywood Style: Icons of Fashion
Tues., Apr. 25, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT (IN-PERSON)
The Stage Left Cafe
125 W Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Classic Hollywood stars and the fashions they wore both on-screen and off were influential style choices for moviegoers around the world. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents the daring wardrobe choices and revolutionary makeup innovations of the stars as well as their legacies today. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. Tickets are $15 per person. BUY TICKETS HERE.
Hollywood Goes to the Library
Weds., Apr. 26, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT
Fountaindale Public Library
Free Online Program via Zoom
Librarians and libraries have been portrayed throughout classic films, spanning many genres. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents depictions of librarians and libraries in classic films as well as the influence of special real-life librarians upon the film industry. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Hollywood Goes to the Library
Thurs., Apr. 27, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Tinley Park Public Library
7851 Timber Dr., Tinley Park, IL 60477
Librarians and libraries have been portrayed throughout classic films, spanning many genres. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents depictions of librarians and libraries in classic films as well as the influence of special real-life librarians upon the film industry. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
The Marx Brothers: A Legacy of Laughter
Tues., May 2, 2023, 9am-10am CT (IN-PERSON)
Patty Turner Center
375 Elm St., Deerfield, IL 60015
Go behind the scenes of classic Hollywood history with Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek, as you learn about the lives and legacies of the legendary Marx Brothers comedy team. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. PRIVATE EVENT.
Bad Boys & Girls: The Characters We Love to Hate
Tues., May 9, 2023, 1pm-2pm CT (Noon Lunch)
Lake Bluff Women’s Club–Grace United Methodist Church (IN-PERSON)
244 E. Center Ave., Lake Bluff, IL 60044
While many classic film characters are honorable or heroic, others were certainly the opposite. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a presentation on the stellar performances of actors who portrayed some of the not-so-nice characters in classic Hollywood cinema—the characters who audiences loved to hate. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. PRIVATE EVENT.
Jack Benny: An Illinois Original
Weds., May 10, 2023, 1pm-2pm CT (IN-PERSON)
North Shore Congregation Israel
1185 Sheridan Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
Jack Benny is regarded as one of the top comedians in American history, shining in vaudeville, radio, television, and film, while making a huge impact upon the sitcom genre. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a special “Hometowns to Hollywood” tribute to Jack Benny, as she discusses his career, legacy, and early years in Waukegan, IL, in a multimedia presentation. PRIVATE EVENT.
Historic Change: Anna May Wong
Thurs., May 11, 2023, 7pm-8pm ET
Somerset County Library System of New Jersey
Free Online Program via Zoom
Anna May Wong was a woman of many firsts; from being the first Asian American actress of international fame to becoming the first Asian American to be depicted on U.S. currency, Wong continues to be a trailblazer. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a presentation on the life, career, and legacy of Anna May Wong. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
The Irish in Hollywood
Tues., May 23, 2023, 10:15am-11:15am ET
REAP–Great Neck
Free Online Program via Zoom
Ring in St. Patrick’s Day with “The Irish in Hollywood!” The films of Hollywood’s Golden Age offered many depictions and talents from Ireland. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she explores a selection of the studio system’s top stars and classic films that paid tribute to Ireland. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. PRIVATE EVENT.
Fred & Ginger: Forever Dancing
Tues., May 23, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT (IN-PERSON)
The Stage Left Cafe
125 W Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are easily considered to be the most iconic dancing duo in cinematic history. Complementing each other on-screen with innovative techniques, Astaire and Rogers danced their way through many beloved films while pioneering future aspects of dance in cinema. Join film historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a presentation about Astaire and Rogers’s early years in Nebraska and Missouri, their Hollywood careers, and their legacy today. Tickets are $15 per person. BUY TICKETS HERE.
Betty White: A Lifetime of Laughter
Thurs., May 25, 2023, 2pm-3pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Morton Grove Public Library
6140 Lincoln Ave, Morton Grove, IL 60053
An actress and activist, comedian Betty White was a woman of many achievements both on and off the screen. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for this special birthday presentation about the early years, career highlights, and legacy of Betty White. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Queer in Hollywood: LGBTQ+ Depictions in Classic Film
Tues., June 6, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT
Schaumburg Township District Library
Free Online Program via Zoom
Depictions of queer individuals have occurred in films dating back to the earliest days of the filmmaking industry. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents groundbreaking portrayals of queer individuals and the impact of the Production Code upon their depictions in classic cinema. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes
Tues., June 20, 2023, 6:30pm-7:30pm ET (IN-PERSON)
New Buffalo Public Library
33 N Thompson St, New Buffalo, MI 49117
In the early days of comedy and beyond, many top-notch classic comediennes have made audiences laugh. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents about the funny women of film, television, and radio, including Gracie Allen, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, and more. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Chicago: The First Hollywood
Weds., June 21, 2023, 11:30am-12:30pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Lake Villa Public Library
140 N Munn Rd, Lindenhurst, IL 60046
Before the film industry moved West, it was firmly rooted in Chicago. Its key players included Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, “Broncho Billy” Anderson, and many more. Join film historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a presentation about the film industry’s early days in Chicago, as she discusses former silent film studios in Chicago, film stars who worked in Chicago, and the legacies of these studios and stars today. The program will include a multimedia presentation of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Celluloid Road Trip: International Edition
Weds., June 28, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT
Mid-Continent Public Library
Free Online Program via Zoom
Classic films continue to allow audiences to travel across the map through the magic of the silver screen. While movie studios often took advantage of their backlots to portray different locations, some studios took on the challenges of having their talents travel to destinations beyond the U.S. for on-location shoots. Join film historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a presentation about various classic films shot on-location abroad, including memorable achievements, and the legacies of these films today. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Hollywood Goes to Space
Mon., July 24, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT
(SPEAKER IN-PERSON; PROGRAM IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL)
Fremont Public Library
1170 N Midlothian Rd, Mundelein, IL 60060
As the public became fascinated with the Space Race and the idea of space travel in the 1950s, classic Hollywood worked to bring space to the screen through many science fiction features. Join film historian Dr. Annette Bochenek for a presentation about various classic films that depict space and its residents, including discussion of special effects and creative choices used to develop space-related plot lines and scenarios for moviegoing audiences to enjoy. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes
Sat., July 29, 2023, 2pm-3pm CT (IN-PERSON)
River Forest Public Library
735 Lathrop Ave, River Forest, IL 60305
In the early days of comedy and beyond, many top-notch classic comediennes have made audiences laugh. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents about the funny women of film, television, and radio, including Gracie Allen, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, and more. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Hollywood Goes to the Beach
Sat., Aug. 12, 2023, 1pm-2:30pm CT
Newberry Library
Online Program via Zoom
Taking full advantage of sunny California’s climate, classic Hollywood films frequently featured beach sequences and sun-drenched stars. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she explores classic Hollywood stars and their ties to beach films, the beach movies’ influence on fashion, and memorable beach movie moments. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. Tickets are $45 for Newberry members and $50 for nonmembers. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Latinx in Hollywood
Thurs., Sept. 21, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT
Harper College
Online Program via Zoom
The films of Hollywood’s Golden Age offered depictions of Latinx individuals and often featured top Latinx studio talents. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she explores a selection of the studio system’s on- and off-screen Latinx talents, discussing their stories, career accomplishments, and challenges during the studio system. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Buster Keaton & Lucille Ball
Hold for Oct 6 or 7 (IN-PERSON)
Buster Keaton Festival
Muskegon
*Book signing of Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I will take place after the presentation.
Copies of Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I will be sold at this event. TBD
On-Screen Specters: Ghosts in Film
Thurs., Oct. 26, 2023, 2pm-3pm ET
Syosset Public Library
Free Online Program via Zoom
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. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
A Hollywood Halloween
Mon., Oct. 30, 2023, 7pm-8pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Chicago Ridge Public Library
10400 Oxford Ave, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415
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. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History
Tues., Nov. 21, 2023, 1pm-2:30pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Oakton Community College–Skokie
7701 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 60077
It’s time to get red carpet-ready! Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents the history of the Academy Awards and some of its memorable moments, while also showcasing previous Best Picture winners. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
Hollywood Valentine: Married in the Movies
Thurs., Feb. 8, 2023, 2pm-3pm ET
Syosset Public Library
Free Online Program via Zoom
Love is in the air in classic Hollywood! Many beloved Hollywood classics featured wedding scenes across a broad range of film genres. In real life, many film stars also happened to have high-profile and eagerly anticipated weddings. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents about memorable classic film wedding moments, both on the screen and off. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. The registration link will be made available closer to the presentation date.
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