Events
On Dec. 22, 2024, it's our 3rd annual screening of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) at the Milford Theater (Milford, PA), hosted by me. That's Sunday, 4pm. Tix $15.
Join me on Sunday, Dec. 1st, 2024, at 4pm, at the Milford Theater for a holiday screening of A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1951). Tix $15. Book signing for my NOT EVEN NOMINATED immediately following.
GONE WITH THE WIND (1939), an 85th anniversary screening at the Milford Theater (Milford, PA), hosted by me on Sunday, November 24th, 2024, at 2pm.
Join me Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, at 4pm for a Halloween screening of CARRIE (1976) at the Milford Theater.
Interviewing Illeana Douglas onstage at the 2024 Black Bear Film Festival in Milford, PA.
25th BLACK BEAR FILM FESTIVAL (Milford, PA)! Oct. 18-20, 2024. On Sat., Oct. 19th, I'll be doing a presentation, followed by a signing, for my new book NOT EVEN NOMINATED: 40 OVERLOOKED COSTARS OF OSCAR-WINNING PERFORMANCES. Then, at 3pm that same day, I'm introducing MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE (1948), followed by an onstage chat with Illeana Douglas, whose grandfather, Melvyn Douglas, costars in the film. Then she'll have a book signing for her new book CONNECTICUT IN THE MOVIES.
Join me for THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946), back on the big screen this Sunday, October 6, 2024, 3pm at the Milford Theater (Milford, PA)
Join me on Sunday, Sep. 29, 2024, at 4pm at the Milford Theater (Milford, PA) for a screening of the crime classic THE MALTESE FALCON (1941), starring Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade. Tix $15.
BOOK SIGNINGS for NOT EVEN NOMINATED:
Oct. 13, 2024, The Milford Theater (Milford, PA), 6pm
Oct. 19, 2024, Black Bear Film Festival (Milford, PA), 10am
Nov. 1, 2024, Bureau of General Services--Queer Division (NYC), 208 W. 13th St., #210, 7pm
Nov. 9, 2024, Barnes & Noble Lake Grove (NY), Smith Haven Mall (Long Island), 2pm
Nov. 15, 2024, Book Soup (West Hollywood, Los Angeles), 8818 Sunset Blvd., 7pm
Join me for Cary Grant and Priscilla Lane in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944), celebrating its 80th anniversary! See it on the big screen on Sunday, Sep. 22nd, 2024, 4pm, at the Milford Theater in Milford, PA. Tix $15.
Join me on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 4pm at the Milford Theater (Milford, PA) for a big-screen showing of KEY LARGO (1948). Tix $15.
Join me Sunday, Sep. 8, 2024, at 4pm at the Milford Theater in Milford (PA) for a special 80th anniversary screening of DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944), starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray. Tix $15.
DEATH ON THE NILE (1978), back on the big screen, hosted by me. Sunday, Sep. 1, 2024, 4pm, at the Milford Theater (PA). $15.
A special 75th anniversary screening of the classic MGM musical ON THE TOWN (1949). Join me on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 7pm at the Milford Theater (PA). Tix $10.
Something different. I'm introducing a classic movie on a Saturday night! It's the 60th anniversary of VIVA LAS VEGAS (1964), starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, back on the big screen! Join me on Saturday, July 27, 7pm, at the Milford Theater in Milford, PA. Tix $10.
I'm back introducing classic movies after a 6-week hiatus. Join me for Doris Day and Rock Hudson in the bright romantic comedy PILLOW TALK (1959), celebrating its 65th anniversary. It's on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 4pm at the Milford Theater (PA). Tix $10.
Join me on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 4pm at the Milford Theater (PA) for a big-screen showing of the classic musical HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (1952), starring triple-threat Danny Kaye.
Join me on Sunday, April 7, 2024, for an 85th anniversary screening of John Ford's STAGECOACH (1939), the western classic that made John Wayne a star. I introduce the film at 4pm at the Milford Theater (Milford, PA). Saddle up!
For St. Patrick's Day 2024, I'll be introducing the Best Picture Oscar winner GOING MY WAY (1944), an 80th anniversary celebration. Join me on Sunday at 4pm at the Milford Theater (PA), $10.
Join me on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 4pm, when I introduce Gary Cooper in Frank Capra's MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN (1936) on the big screen at the Milford Theater in Milford, PA.
March is OSCARS month at the Milford Theater! Join me in Milford (PA) this Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 4pm for a special 70th anniversary screening of the Best Picture winner ON THE WATERFRONT (1954), with its Oscar-winning performances from Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint.
Come see Ingrid Bergman's Oscar-winning performance in MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (1974), the kickoff to my OSCARS series at the Milford Theater (Milford, PA). Join me this Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, at 4pm for this special 50th anniversary screening.
Join me Sunday, Feb. 18th, 2024, at 4pm at the Milford Theater in Milford, PA. I'll be introducing an 80th anniversary screening of the Bogart-Bacall classic TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT (1944), in glorious black and white, back on the big screen.
Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at 4pm. I'll be introducing Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (1967) on the big screen at the Milford Theater (Milford, PA).
Join me Sunday, Feb. 4th 2024, at 4pm, at the Milford Theater (Milford, PA). A 90th anniversary screening!! On the big screen!! Tix $10.
My 3rd ANNUAL ALFRED HITCHCOCK FESTIVAL, 4 Sundays in January of 2024, all films at 4pm, Milford Theater (Milford, PA)
Jan. 7 - TO CATCH A THIEF
Jan. 14 - DIAL M FOR MURDER
Jan. 21 - VERTIGO
Jan. 28 - SHADOW OF A DOUBT
My onstage chat with filmmaker Ron MacCloskey after the screening of BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER.
Then, on Friday, Oct. 14, I'll be interviewing filmmaker Ron MacCloskey onstage after the 5pm opening-night screening of his documentary BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER. On Saturday, Oct. 15, at 10am, I'll be doing the video companion program for my new book THERE ARE NO SMALL PARTS at the Festival's Salon in the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Catharine St. Go to blackbearfilm.com.
For more info call 570-409-1212.
Two exciting events for me at the 2018 Black Bear Film Festival (Milford, PA) on Oct. 19 and 20. On the Friday night, I'll be doing an onstage interview with the superb actress Jane Alexander, following a screening of THE GREAT WHITE HOPE (1970). Then, on Saturday afternoon, I'll be joined by Lorna Luft in a tribute to A STAR IS BORN (1954), the masterpiece created by her parents, Judy Garland and Sid Luft.
On Tuesday, November 21, 2017, I'll be appearing at the Port Jervis Free Library (138 Pike St.) for a 1pm presentation of my video companion program to my new book TEN MOVIES AT A TIME, a show filled with DVD clips of great films featured in the book. It's to be followed by a book signing.
On October 7, 2017, at the Artists' Market Community Center (114 Richardson Ave.) in Shohola, PA, I will be participating in the Barryville Area Arts Association's "Celebration of Cinematic Arts." I will be doing my "Bloopers, Secret, and Surprises" DVD program at 4pm.
Sunday, May 17, 2015, is the make-up date for the January 18th event described below (cancelled because of an icestorm).
Great to be on the air again with radio host Jordan Rich (Boston - WBZ) for another two hours of classic-movie talk on May 2, 2015.
On February 21st (into the 22nd), 2015, I'll be the midnight guest on radio host Jordan Rich's show in Boston, talking all about the Oscars, past and present, ups and downs. WBZ 1030AM.
On Sunday, January 18, 2015, at 2pm: I'll be hosting a classic-movies event at the UDGLBT Center in Milford, PA (201 Harford St., the old schoolhouse). This will include film clips from several of my classic-film programs (kind of a best-of medley), plus a Q&A and a book signing (with all 5 of my books available and discounted).
On Saturday, October 18, 2014, I'll be back at the Black Bear Film Festival (Milford, PA), this time interviewing screen actor Keir Dullea on the festival stage. At 1:30pm, we'll be screening his 1965 mystery-thriller BUNNY LAKE IS MISSING, directed by Otto Preminger and co-starring Laurence Olivier. The interview will take place immediately after the screening. On Sunday morning, at 10:45am, I'll be at the Black Bear Film Salon (at the library), doing a film-clips program I call "Cruising Classic Movies with John DiLeo," a fun-filled celebration of escapist Golden Age entertainments set aboard ocean liners.
On Saturday night, July 12th, 2014, at midnight (which is technically the 13th), I'll once again be the "live" radio guest on the Jordan Rich Show, talking "classic movies" for two hours, including taking calls. That's Eastern time, at WBZ-1030AM, available across a big swath of the country.
June 27-29, 2014, from 6pm (EST) on Friday to 6pm (EST) on Sunday: "Weekend Q&A with Author John DiLeo." This is a Facebook event sponsored by the Hollywood Book Chat, a Facebook group devoted to books about classic Hollywood. For 51 hours, on and off, I'll be answering questions "live" on the FB page set up for the event. Join me for a weekend chat, and ask me anything about my work, my books, and all things "classic movies."
It's time for my Winter Film Series, a celebration of some of Hollywood's legendary leading ladies. We began on January 15, 2014, with Audrey Hepburn in FUNNY FACE (1957). Here's what's to come: Katharine Hepburn in PAT AND MIKE (1952) on Jan. 29; Marilyn Monroe in BUS STOP (1956) on February 12; Claudette Colbert in MIDNIGHT (1939) on Feb. 26; Judy Garland in SUMMER STOCK (1950) on March 12. All the films start at 7:30pm and they are FREE. I'll be introducing them and conducting post-film discussions. FUNNY FACE went over extremely well, and I hope the rest of the films are as well attended and as happily received. The location is the old schoolhouse (201 W. Harford St.) in Milford, PA, across from the post office. The sponsor is the UDGLBT Center.
I'll again be a "live" radio guest on the Jordan Rich Show (WBZ-1030AM) on November 29th for two whole hours, from midnight to 2am.
On November 24, 2013, I was delighted to be inducted into the historic Hotel Fauchere's Hall of Fame in my town of Milford, PA, for my work as an author of film books. My framed face is now smiling happily on their wall.
On Saturday, October 19th, 2013, at the new library in Milford, PA (119 E. Harford St.), I'll be doing a program for the Film Salon of the Black Bear Film Festival from 4pm to 5pm. In conjunction with the recent reissue of AND YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW CLASSIC MOVIES, I'll be doing my show called "Bloopers, Secrets, and Surprises in Classic Movies."
I'll be doing my two Tennessee Williams programs at the Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake, New York, in anticipation of their production of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. At 4pm on Sunday, July 14, 2013, I'll be doing the companion program to my book TENNESSEE WILLIAMS AND COMPANY. On Monday evening, July 15, 2013, at 7pm, I'll be doing what I call STREETCAR...IS THAT YOU? which covers the STREETCAR imitators and other amusing tidbits.
On the very early morning of Sunday, July 7th, 2013, from midnight to 1am, which is basically Saturday night, I'm the "live" guest on the Jordan Rich radio show (WBZ-1030 AM). We'll be talking about AND YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW CLASSIC MOVIES and other assorted movie topics. Tune in!
I'm one of the blurbs on the back of Eve Golden's exceptional biography JOHN GILBERT: THE LAST OF THE SILENT FILM STARS.
Join me on Tuesday, January 29th, 2013, at 6:30pm for a book event being billed as "Tennessee Williams on Film." The location is the Strange Loop Gallery in Manhattan at 27 Orchard Street. The sponsor is the Bureau of General Services---Queer Division.
In December of 2012, my 2002 book, 100 GREAT FILM PERFORMANCES YOU SHOULD REMEMBER BUT PROBABLY DON'T, became available in a Kindle edition.
On Saturday night, November 24th, at 7pm, I'm the guest on Ian Williams' radio show THE CATSKILLS REVIEW OF BOOKS at WJFF (90.5 FM).
On Saturday night, November 17, 2012 (actually very early Sunday morning the 18th), I'm the "live" guest on the Jordan Rich radio show from 1am to 2am. It's available in 38 states. Tune in at WBZ (AM - 1030).
On October 14, 2012, I'll be doing a presentation at the Black Bear Film Festival Salon, the companion program to my latest book SCREEN SAVERS II: MY GRAB BAG OF CLASSIC MOVIES. The location is the St. Patrick's Social Hall in Milford, PA. The time is 11am. On the night before, at 6pm in the Milford Theatre, I'll be interviewing Hilary Saltzman, daughter of producer Harry Saltzman, following a screening of the new James Bond documentary EVERYTHING OR NOTHING: THE UNTOLD STORY OF 007.
On September 3rd, 2012, I'm the guest on PIA LINDSTROM PRESENTS on Sirius XM Channel 80. It airs at 10:30 pm and repeats on Friday, September 7th, at 3:30pm. So great to talk about old movies with Ingrid Bergman's daughter!
I'm the Quotable Notable on the back page of this month's issue of TravelSmart newsletter (August, 2012). Instead of being asked about my favorite movies, as usual, this time it's restaurants and hotels.
Go to http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA6E5D2622300C80A to see about a dozen brief interviews of me talking about TENNESSEE WILLIAMS AND COMPANY.
I'll be heading back to New Orleans, for the 26th annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival later this month. I'll be doing two events on Saturday, March 24th, 2012. At 10a.m., at the Williams Research Center located at 410 Chartres Street, I'll be moderating a panel titled "Tennessee Williams, Gerontologist?" My panelists are Michael Hooper, Annette Saddik, and David Kaplan. Then, at 2:30 that same day and at the same location, I'll be doing my solo presentation, "Streetcar. . . Is That You?" which is my show about the films that stole somewhat liberally from Williams' classic, from Look Back in Anger to Storm Warning to The Sound and the Fury.
After a very successful evening on October 4, 2011, at the National Arts Club in New York's Gramercy Park, in which I presented my TENNESSEE WILLIAMS AND COMPANY program to a large audience in a beautiful venue, I'm getting ready for my annual appearance at the Black Bear Film Festival in Milford, PA. On Saturday, October 15, at 1pm I'll be doing my other T. Williams program, the one I created for the Provincetown Williams festival last year. The title is "Under the Influence," and it covers influences in both directions, those who inspired Williams and those inspired by him. The location is 200 E. Harford Street.
My fifth book (and first written expressly for the e-market) is due around Thanksgiving. SCREEN SAVERS PART TWO: MY GRAB BAG OF CLASSIC MOVIES features extensive essays about ten overlooked movies, followed by 135 selected blog posts, and then 85 "matching" movie quizzes. The book consists of materials I have been writing over the last several years, finally collected as, yes, my grab bag of classic movies!
Nice profile of me in my alumni magazine, the IC View:
http://www.ithaca.edu/icview/20175/
Off to New Orleans on March 22, 2011, for the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival. I'll be doing two programs on March 26th, the actual 100th birthday of Williams. First, I'm on a panel with Rex Reed about the TW movies, and then I'll be doing my film-clips presentation, the companion show to my book TENNESSEE WILLIAMS AND COMPANY: HIS ESSENTIAL SCREEN ACTORS.
On February 10, 2011, I have a book signing for TENNESSEE WILLIAMS AND COMPANY at the Port Jervis Free Library (138 Pike St.) in Port Jervis, NY, at 6:30pm. I'll be doing my film-clips program on the Williams movies. Light refreshments!
I'm hosting a free 2011 classic-movies series at the Emerson House (Milford, PA) on winter Wednesdays. All the films start at 6pm.
Here's the schedule:
Feb. 9: THE TALL TARGET (1951)
Feb. 23: ONE WAY PASSAGE (1932)
Mar. 2: DEVIL'S DOORWAY (1950)
Mar. 16: BACHELOR MOTHER (1939)
Check out the December 2010 issue of U.S. News and World Report, the final print edition before it moves online. TENNESSEE WILLIAMS AND COMPANY and I are featured on page 64!
On Saturday, November 13, 2010, I have my Milford (PA) book signing at the Bluestone Gallery at 104 E. Ann Street, right off of Broad Street. The event begins at 6pm and I'll do a 45-minute program of DVD clips and discussion before I sign any books. On Friday, October 29, I had my New York City book signing at the Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Center. It was a wonderful night, with an audience of 75 and plenty of books sold!
The Tennessee Williams Theater Festival in Provincetown was a major event (Sep. 23-26, 2010). My three film-clips programs were very well-received. The audiences were warm and enthusiastic. I met so many marvelous people, those running and working the festival as well as those attending it. And such spectacular weather! All this plus the pre-publication debut of my new book TENNESSEE WILLIAMS AND COMPANY: HIS ESSENTIAL SCREEN ACTORS. It felt great to be signing copies of a new work!
I will be a participant at the Tennessee Williams Festival in Provincetown, MA, on September 23-26, 2010. My new book, TENNESSEE WILLIAMS AND COMPANY: HIS ESSENTIAL SCREEN ACTORS, will be making its debut that weekend. I'll be doing a program called LAUGHING IN THE DARK WITH TENNESSEE, a compilation of clips connected to the festival's theme "Under the Influence." I'll be showing scenes from films that borrowed shamelessly from Williams, specifically STREETCAR, as well as films and actors who clearly had an influence on Williams' artistic sensibility. Finally, I'll show some scenes that pay humorous tribute to the Williams legacy. It's going to be eye-opening as well as great fun! I'll be doing three performances, on the evenings of the 23rd, 24th, and 25th.
On May 15, 2010, I'll be introducing a free screening of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962) at the Delaware Valley High School in Westfall (PA) at 7pm. Then I'll lead a post-film discussion. Bring tissues!!
My two appearances at the CT Film Festival in Danbury were wonderful. Big turnouts, enthusiastic classic-film lovers, not to mention the festival's eclectic offering of movies, documentaries, shorts, and music programs. And I sold the box of books (SCREEN SAVERS) that I brought with me.
On May 8th and 9th, I'll be participating in the Connecticut Film Festival in Danbury. On the 8th at 11am, I will be doing SCREEN SAVERS, the companion show to my book of the same title, all about great underrated movies of the 20th century. On the 9th at 1:15pm, come see my show BLOOPERS, SECRETS, AND SURPRISES IN CLASSIC MOVIES, which is lighthearted fun and quite a hoot. Both programs will be at the Danbury Public Library. Go to www.ctfilmfest.com for more info.
In December 2009, I did my first gig as a cruise ship lecturer, doing five programs on classic movies on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas luxury liner. Fantastic experience! Around that same time, my essay about the Mitchell Leisen book, HOLLYWOOD DIRECTOR by David Chierichetti, appeared in the anthology CITY SECRETS BOOKS.
On October 16, 2009, I did a program titled "Bloopers, Secrets, and Surprises in Classic Hollywood Movies" at the gala of the Black Bear Film Festival in Milford, PA. Then I did a program called "The Golden Age of the Hollywood Musical" at the festival's Film Salon on the 18th. Both events were held at Milford's historic Tom Quick Inn.
I am currently appearing inside two new books. In Michael Sragow's excellent biography, VICTOR FLEMING: AN AMERICAN MOVIE MASTER (December, 2008), I am quoted in Sragow's chapter on Fleming's 1938 classic TEST PILOT, specifically in his analysis of the film's homosexual overtones.
In CITY SECRETS: MOVIES (February, 2009), I am one of many film professionals who offers a short essay on a little-known movie that deserves wider recognition. My selection is THE TALL TARGET (1951), one of the 40 movies featured in my book SCREEN SAVERS. Among the other participants, you'll find Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, and Sidney Lumet. I was at the Rizzoli Bookstore at 31 W. 57th St. in Manhattan on Wednesday, February 18th, 2009, for a signing and reception.
I am now a blog! Go to screensaversmovies.com and join the conversation. It's a site devoted entirely to my new book, put together by my publisher. If you want to ask me about a certain movie or respond to the book, write to me there. I look forward to joining the blogosphere.
On Monday, September 22nd, 2008, Turner Classic Movies devoted its prime-time schedule to SCREEN SAVERS. Host Robert Osborne selected five movies from the book and introduced them on the air. He spoke about me, SCREEN SAVERS, and the movies he chose to be screened. It was an all-around wonderful night. The five movies were PORTRAIT OF JENNIE (1948), STARS IN MY CROWN (1950), ONE WAY PASSAGE (1932), DEVIL'S DOORWAY (1950), and THE TALL TARGET (1951). A great quintet!
On Sunday, October 5th, 2008, I had a piece in the Washington Post. I wrote a round-up review of four new film books: biographies of Ronald Reagan, Claudette Colbert, and Fred Astaire, and Robert Wagner's autobiography. The review appeared in the Post's Book World.