Film Screenings
The Paleface
Comedy FridayBob Hope and Jane Russell serve up a wildly funny Old West in The Paleface. Hope, playing a timid dentist is taken for the dupe he is by Russell who uses him as cover to get at a dangerous gang. Considered one of his funniest roles. 1948, 1 hour, 31 minutes, Color
Friday, February 8, 2019
12:00 pm
American Hustle (2013)
No Oscar? Really? Film SeriesThe list of actors who’ve won Academy Awards is long and distinguished. So is the roll of those who haven’t. The Library this month screens four films that earned nominations—but not statuettes—for four notably Oscar-less stars: Ed Harris and Amy Adams, Brad Pitt and Glenn Close.
SATURDAYS AT 1:30 P.M.
Stanley H. Durwood Film Vault
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
| February 2 | Apollo 13 (1995; PG-13) |
| February 9 | American Hustle (2013; R) |
| February 16 | The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008; PG-13) |
| February 23 | Albert Nobbs (2011; R) |
Becoming American: Promise and Prejudice
The Library continues its examination of immigration, exploring the tension between America’s historical acceptance of newcomers and periodic backlash arising from concerns about their economic and cultural impact.
The event features a screening of the documentary Welcome to Shelbyville (2009; PG) which spotlights a small Tennessee town grappling with discrimination amid changing demographics. Shelbyville's residents are challenged with how to best integrate the arrival of hundreds of Muslim refugees from Somalia who’ve been hired by the local Tyson chicken-processing plant. University of Missouri-Kansas City historian Sandra Enriquez leads a post-screening discussion.
The Becoming American series is a project of City Lore, made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Grand Hotel
Encore FridayFeaturing a wide cast of greats, including John and Lionel Barrymore, Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo. World-weary travelers, the ill, wealthy and other types are tossed together in this winner of the 1931-32 Best Pictures Academy Award. 112 minutes. B&W
Friday, February 15, 2019
12:00 pm
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
The list of actors who’ve won Academy Awards is long and distinguished. So is the roll of those who haven’t. The Library this month screens four films that earned nominations—but not statuettes—for four notably Oscar-less stars: Ed Harris and Amy Adams, Brad Pitt and Glenn Close.
SATURDAYS AT 1:30 P.M.
Stanley H. Durwood Film Vault
Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
| February 2 | Apollo 13 (1995; PG-13) |
| February 9 | American Hustle (2013; R) |
| February 16 | The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008; PG-13) |
| February 23 | Albert Nobbs (2011; R) |
Women Behind the Lens: Battle of the Sexes
Searching the Psyche Through CinemaThis annual screening-and-discussion series continues in February with more psychological studies of films helmed by female directors.
As the women’s top-ranked tennis player, Billie Jean King, and ex-men’s champion and serial hustler Bobby Riggs prepared to play in their made-for-TV extravaganza in 1973, each fought more personal and complex battles. Directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton. The post-screening discussion is led by psychoanalyst Mari Hayes and film critic Lonita Cook.
Presented in partnership with the Greater Kansas City and Topeka Psychoanalytic Center.
| January 20 | Lady Bird (2017, R) |
| February 3 | An Education (2009, PG-13) |
| February 17 | Battle of the Sexes (2017, PG-13) |
| March 3 | The Bling Ring (2013, R) |
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Shadow of the Thin Man
Potpourri FridayThe fourth in the Thin Man series, William Powell stars as the famous sleuth Nick Charles, with Nora, his wife (Myrna Loy) close at hand, baby Nick, Jr. and faithful dog Asta. This time Nick finds himself in the middle of a racetrack murder investigation. Don't be fooled by his bumbling manner, he's on top of it. 1941, 97 minutes, B&W
Friday, February 22, 2019
12:00 pm