'Classic Movie Tuesdays' at the Library—'A Grand Old Time'

At one time, Alfred Hitchcock said, “A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theater admission and the babysitter were worth it.”

For many, viewing a film requires going to a theater and paying for tickets. However, when looking for other options, and the idea of staying home isn’t one of them, the , located at 109 Park Ave. in Willow Grove, offers a free trip down memory lane.

As a part of the library’s “Classic Movie Tuesdays,” which take place every second Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. it will present To Catch a Thief tomorrow, March 8. This film is the third installment in the series.

“Part of the Upper Moreland Free Library’s mission statement suggests that the library not only provide programs and materials that are educational and informative, but also to make available cultural enrichment, as well,” Katie Fitzpatrick, head of technical services, said.

To Catch a Thief, directed by Hitchcock and released in 1955, stars Cary Grant, Grace Kelly and Jessie Royce Landis.

The film portrays the story of a retired jewel thief, aptly nicknamed “The Cat.”  While he tends to his vineyard in the French Riviera, an impersonator carries out a series of robberies. Fueled by this suspicion, the cops arrest “The Cat,” who then goes on a search out for his copycat.

Fitzpatrick, who picked each of the movies, said even though the movie series was initially geared toward an older generation of viewers, it is still open to everyone in the community.

She selected “To Catch a Thief “ because of its popularity in the 1950s, and she described the classic film as a lighter and more romantic Hitchcock film, rather than his typical twisted, psychological thrillers.

When choosing movie titles for the series, Fitzpatrick has a few specific criteria: a recognizable title, a release date before 1960, and a running time under two hours long.

At Classic Movie Tuesdays, visitors will enjoy the standard refreshments of popcorn and soft drinks, along with trivia questions for each month’s selection, written by Fitzpatrick, as well as a selection of books, movies and other materials related to the movie for visitors to check out of the library. 

For example, February’s selection Meet Me in St. Louis, starring Judy Garland, included trivia questions regarding the “Gateway to the West" city and the early 1900s. Next month’s selection is Singin' in the Rain April 12.

Fitzpatrick said that last month’s moviegoers had a “grand old time and loved the trivia,” as well as the event itself.

“There’s something magical about the experience of sitting in the dark watching a movie,” she said. “It’s been a very positive experience to those that have attended.”

The library has also had success with other movie programs. One of the most popular movie series is “Sunday Cinema,” which takes place on the third Sunday of every month. It features foreign and independent films, and a discussion led by Maurizio Giammarco, Ph.D., an instructor at Temple University.  

In May, the library will celebrate Willow Grove’s Tricentennial by introducing its “Historic Film Series,” every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Film titles include The Crossing, The Battle of Crooked Billet, American Experience: If You Knew Sousa, and Life was a Lark in Willow Grove Park.

 Classic Movie Tuesdays will return in June and run through the summer.

For information about Classic Movie Tuesdays or any of the upcoming film series, visit www.uppermorelandlibrary.org.