The Ilsley Public Library (IPL) is partnering with the Middlebury Marquis Theater to host the upcoming Middlebury Community Classic Film Club winter/spring 2025 session. Mark your calendars for four Thursdays between January and March.

Since its founding before the pandemic by community member Steve Gross, the Middlebury Community Classic Film Club has brought film enthusiasts together to explore curated films centered around meaningful themes to our community and current events; including a virtual stint through the COVID lockdown.

“When I took over running the club, my interest lay in exploring classic films and discussing the films and actors themselves,” said Adult Services Librarian Renee Ursitti. “With this new direction our first session was a Hitchcock series, followed by a Billy Wilder series. As a response to a club member’s suggestion, we next did a Food Themed Films series.”

With IPL transitioning into its temporary “Mini Ilsley” location, Ursitti “had to start examining what programs would easily be moved into that space, need another space or need to be paused,” she explained. “That is when I reached out to Ben at Middlebury Marquis to see if we could come to some arrangement to hold the Classic Film Club’s screenings at the theater.  For IPL, it is an opportunity to grow our Classic Films Club program while we are in a time of transition.  We were thrilled when Ben thought this was a great fit for us both.”

This season, the theme is Comedies of the ’30s and ’40s, a perfect antidote to the winter blues. After each screening, attendees are invited to stay for a lively discussion about the film.

This winter/spring 2025 series will feature “It Happened One Night” on Jan. 16, “The Man Who Came to Dinner” on Feb. 6, “The Thin Man” on Feb. 20, and “His Girl Friday” on March 20. Screenings begin at 1 p.m. at the Middlebury Marquis Theater. Free and open to all. 

Ursitti — a classic film buff herself — looks forward to watching these films on the big screen; engaging in conversation with other viewers after the screenings and…

“Nachos!” she exclaimed. “The Marquis’ nachos are the best!”

— Elsie Lynn Parini