2026 Spring
Instructor: UMASC Classic Films Committee
Fridays • 10 movies • 3/20 -5/22 • 8:30 AM-12:00 PM
Class size 5-70 students
71 seats remaining
Location: Klahr Center Rotunda
In this fun course, coordinated by the UMASC Classic Films Committee, students will view 10 films and engage in active discussions as to their value and worth.
A donation jar will be on hand to help support miscellaneous expenses of the class.
All films are closed captioned for the hearing impaired. Film dates are subject to change.
10 Featured Films:
Tender Mercies is a 1983 American drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Horton Foote. It stars Robert Duvall as singer-songwriter Mac Sledge, a former country music star whose career and relationship with his ex-wife and daughter were wrecked by alcoholism. Recovering from his affliction, Sledge seeks to turn his life around through his relationship with a young widow and her son in rural Texas. The supporting cast includes Tess Harper, Betty Buckley, Wilford Brimley, Ellen Barkin and Allan Hubbard.
Tender Mercies is a 1983 American drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Horton Foote. It stars Robert Duvall as singer-songwriter Mac Sledge, a former country music star whose career and relationship with his ex-wife and daughter were wrecked by alcoholism. Recovering from his affliction, Sledge seeks to turn his life around through his relationship with a young widow and her son in rural Texas. The supporting cast includes Tess Harper, Betty Buckley, Wilford Brimley, Ellen Barkin and Allan Hubbard.1983, 1 hr. 32 min. Drama / Music
Sea of Love is a 1989 American neo-noir thriller film directed by Harold Becker, written by Richard Price and starring Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin and John Goodman. The story concerns a New York City detective trying to catch a serial killer who finds victims through the singles column in a newspaper.
Sea of Love is a 1989 American neo-noir thriller film directed by Harold Becker, written by Richard Price and starring Al Pacino, Ellen Barkin and John Goodman. The story concerns a New York City detective trying to catch a serial killer who finds victims through the singles column in a newspaper.1989, 1 hr. 53 min. Thriller / Crime
Mon Oncle (My Uncle), directed by and starring Jacques Tati, centers on the socially awkward yet lovable character of Monsieur Hulot and his quixotic struggle with postwar France’s infatuation with modern architecture, mechanical efficiency and consumerism. Like most Tati films, Mon Oncle is largely a visual comedy. Mon Oncle won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, a Special Prize at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival, and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Mon Oncle (My Uncle), directed by and starring Jacques Tati, centers on the socially awkward yet lovable character of Monsieur Hulot and his quixotic struggle with postwar France’s infatuation with modern architecture, mechanical efficiency and consumerism. Like most Tati films, Mon Oncle is largely a visual comedy. Mon Oncle won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, a Special Prize at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival, and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Language Film.1958, 1 hr. 51 min. French Comedy
Islands in the Stream (1977) is a drama based on Ernest Hemingway’s posthumously published novel. The story centers on Thomas Hudson (played by George C. Scott), a hard-drinking, emotionally guarded American painter living in isolation in the Bahamas during the late 1930s and early World War II era. He’s chosen solitude to escape deep personal grief. The story is told in 3 parts: 1) the island and the past, 2) loss and 3) war at sea. The film concludes on a somber, reflective note. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography, losing to Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Islands in the Stream (1977) is a drama based on Ernest Hemingway’s posthumously published novel. The story centers on Thomas Hudson (played by George C. Scott), a hard-drinking, emotionally guarded American painter living in isolation in the Bahamas during the late 1930s and early World War II era. He’s chosen solitude to escape deep personal grief. The story is told in 3 parts: 1) the island and the past, 2) loss and 3) war at sea. The film concludes on a somber, reflective note. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography, losing to Close Encounters of the Third Kind.1977 1 hr. 59 min. Political / Drama / Romance
Blazing Saddles is a 1974 American satirical postmodernist Western comedy film directed by Mel Brooks. In 1874, a new railroad under construction will have to be rerouted through the town of Rock Ridge to avoid quicksand. Realizing this will make Rock Ridge worth millions, the territorial attorney general plans to force Rock Ridge’s residents out of the town. The town is saved by a black railroad worker appointed as sheriff, and an alcoholic gun slinger. The film is ranked number six on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 Laughs list, and was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2006. Cast includes Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, and Mel Brooks.
Blazing Saddles is a 1974 American satirical postmodernist Western comedy film directed by Mel Brooks. In 1874, a new railroad under construction will have to be rerouted through the town of Rock Ridge to avoid quicksand. Realizing this will make Rock Ridge worth millions, the territorial attorney general plans to force Rock Ridge’s residents out of the town. The town is saved by a black railroad worker appointed as sheriff, and an alcoholic gun slinger. The film is ranked number six on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 Laughs list, and was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2006. Cast includes Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, and Mel Brooks.1974 1hr. 33 min. Comedy / Western
Ray is a biographical drama about the life of legendary musician Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx). The film follows Charles from his childhood in the rural South, through his rise to fame as a groundbreaking artist who blends gospel, blues, jazz, and R&B into a new sound. As Charles becomes successful, he also struggles with heroin addiction, complicated relationships, and the emotional scars left by deaths in his family. Charles challenges racial barriers in the segregated music industry, and eventually confronts his addiction. The film ends with Charles achieving sobriety and recognition as one of the most influential musicians in American history. Jamie Foxx’s performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Ray is a biographical drama about the life of legendary musician Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx). The film follows Charles from his childhood in the rural South, through his rise to fame as a groundbreaking artist who blends gospel, blues, jazz, and R&B into a new sound. As Charles becomes successful, he also struggles with heroin addiction, complicated relationships, and the emotional scars left by deaths in his family. Charles challenges racial barriers in the segregated music industry, and eventually confronts his addiction. The film ends with Charles achieving sobriety and recognition as one of the most influential musicians in American history. Jamie Foxx’s performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.2004, 1 hr. 51 min. Biography / Drama
The Rink is a 1916 short silent film that showcases Charlie Chaplin’s skill as a roller-skater.
The Rink is a 1916 short silent film that showcases Charlie Chaplin’s skill as a roller-skater.Modern Times is a 1936 American part-talkie satirical slapstick comedy film produced, written and directed by Charlie Chaplin. In Chaplin’s last performance as the iconic Little Tramp, his character struggles to survive in the modern, industrialized world. The film also stars Paulette Goddard as the “Gamine”. Modern Times has won many awards and honors, and is widely considered one of the greatest films ever. It was one of the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.
1916 & 1936, 1 hr. 52 min. total, Rom-com
Big Night is a 1996 American comedy-drama film co-directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci. Set in the 1950s on the Jersey Shore, the film follows two Italian immigrant brothers, played by Tucci and Tony Shalhoub, as they host an evening of free food at their restaurant in an effort to gain greater exposure. The film’s supporting cast includes Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, and Allison Janney. It was nominated for the “Grand Jury Prize” at the Sundance Film Festival and the “Grand Special Prize” at the Deauville Film Festival. Scott and Tucci won the New York Film Critics Circle Award and the Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best New Director.
Big Night is a 1996 American comedy-drama film co-directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci. Set in the 1950s on the Jersey Shore, the film follows two Italian immigrant brothers, played by Tucci and Tony Shalhoub, as they host an evening of free food at their restaurant in an effort to gain greater exposure. The film’s supporting cast includes Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, and Allison Janney. It was nominated for the “Grand Jury Prize” at the Sundance Film Festival and the “Grand Special Prize” at the Deauville Film Festival. Scott and Tucci won the New York Film Critics Circle Award and the Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best New Director.1996, 1 hr. 49 min. Comedy / Drama
The Great Debaters is a 2007 American historical drama film directed by Denzel Washington from a screenplay by Robert Eisele and based on a 1997 article for American Legacy by Tony Scherman. The film follows the trials and tribulations of the Wiley College debate team in 1935 Texas. Based on a true story, the plot revolves around the efforts of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson at Wiley College, a historically black college related to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (now The United Methodist Church), to place his team on equal footing with whites in the American South during the 1930s. Jim Crow laws enforced racial discrimination and lynch mobs were still a risk for African Americans. The Wiley team eventually succeeds to the point where they debate a Harvard University team. It stars Washington, Forest Whitaker, Denzel Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker, Gina Ravera, Jermaine Williams, and Jurnee Smollett.
The Great Debaters is a 2007 American historical drama film directed by Denzel Washington from a screenplay by Robert Eisele and based on a 1997 article for American Legacy by Tony Scherman. The film follows the trials and tribulations of the Wiley College debate team in 1935 Texas. Based on a true story, the plot revolves around the efforts of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson at Wiley College, a historically black college related to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (now The United Methodist Church), to place his team on equal footing with whites in the American South during the 1930s. Jim Crow laws enforced racial discrimination and lynch mobs were still a risk for African Americans. The Wiley team eventually succeeds to the point where they debate a Harvard University team. It stars Washington, Forest Whitaker, Denzel Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker, Gina Ravera, Jermaine Williams, and Jurnee Smollett.2007 2 hrs. 6 min. Docudrama / Romance
Torch Song Trilogy is a 1988 American comedy drama film adapted by Harvey Fierstein from his play of the same name. The movie is a heartfelt, funny-sad drama about love, identity, and chosen family. The film follows Arnold Beckoff (Harvey Fierstein), a sharp-tongued, Jewish drag performer in New York City, across several years as he searches for love and self-acceptance. Arnold’s relationships—especially with his volatile lover Ed and later the gentle Alan—show the joys and pain of being openly gay in a world that often refuses to fully accept him. It was groundbreaking for its time, offering a deeply human, unapologetic portrayal of gay life in the late 20th century. The cast includes Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, and Brian Kerwin.
Torch Song Trilogy is a 1988 American comedy drama film adapted by Harvey Fierstein from his play of the same name. The movie is a heartfelt, funny-sad drama about love, identity, and chosen family. The film follows Arnold Beckoff (Harvey Fierstein), a sharp-tongued, Jewish drag performer in New York City, across several years as he searches for love and self-acceptance. Arnold’s relationships—especially with his volatile lover Ed and later the gentle Alan—show the joys and pain of being openly gay in a world that often refuses to fully accept him. It was groundbreaking for its time, offering a deeply human, unapologetic portrayal of gay life in the late 20th century. The cast includes Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, and Brian Kerwin.1988, 2 hrs. Comedy / Drama
CLASSIC FILMS