Events and Programs

Emerging Legends Film Series

About Emerging Legends

The American Film Institute defines “an American screen legend” as an actor or a team of actors with a significant screen presence in American feature-length films whose screen debut occurred in or before 1950. Join us this summer at the Alicia Ashman Branch as we screen debut or early films of these legends: Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Spencer Tracy, Audrey Hepburn, Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, and the duos of Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant, and Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. Screenings are on Fridays at 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming films:

Emerging Legends: Roman Holiday
Friday, June 13 at 7:00 PM
Refreshments will be served
Register online or call 824-1780 to save a seat.

Already well known for his portrayals of tall, rugged, decent heroes from films such as Keys of the Kingdom, Spellbound, and Twelve O’Clock High, Gregory Peck plays an ethical newsman in the American screen debut of Audrey Hepburn. Can't attend? Borrow the DVD or video from the library.

Emerging Legends: The Public Enemy
Friday, June 20 at 7:00 PM
Refreshments will be served
Register online or call 824-1780 to save a seat.

James Cagney crafts his iconic status as the smarmy, fast-talking, tough guy in this breakthrough role as gangster, Tom Powers. He based the character on hoodlums he knew from his childhood in New York City. Can't attend? Borrow the DVD or video from the library.

Emerging Legends: Flying Down to Rio
Friday, June 27 at 7:00 PM
Refreshments will be served
Register online or call 824-1780 to save a seat.

ilm studio RKO was on the verge of bankruptcy when they decided to jump on the musical film bandwagon. Paired together for the first time in what was essentially a novelty act to perform a dance number The Carioca were Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. History was made, and they went on to pair in nine more films. Can't attend? Borrow the DVD or video from the library.

Emerging Legends: High Sierra
Friday, July 11 at 7:00 PM
Refreshments will be served
Register online or call 824-1780 to save a seat.

Humphrey Bogart was the Warner Brothers Studio’s third choice of actors to play the gangster, Roy Earle, and received second billing on this film that launched his career and cemented his image as the ultimate film noir actor. Can't attend? Borrow the DVD or video from the library.

Emerging Legends: National Velvet
Friday, July 25 at 7:00 PM
Refreshments will be served
Register online or call 824-1780 to save a seat.

Before she was “Maggie the Cat” or Cleopatra, she was Velvet Brown, a girl with a powerful love for a horse. Little Elizabeth Taylor walked away from National Velvet with a career launching performance and a horse. As a perk, the studio arranged for her to keep her costar, Pie, the horse. Can't attend? Borrow the DVD or video from the library.

Emerging Legends: Captains Courageous
Friday, August 8 at 7:00 PM
Refreshments will be served
Register online or call 824-1780 to save a seat.

Wisconsin native and film legend, Spencer Tracy, received his first Oscar for his portrayal of Manuel, a humble fisherman, in this seagoing adventure film. Can't attend? Borrow the DVD or video from the library.

Emerging Legends: Bringing Up Baby
Friday, August 22 at 7:00 PM
Refreshments will be served
Register online or call 824-1780 to save a seat.

A film that bombed when originally shown in 1938, this pairing of Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in a screwball comedy is now a classic. Can't attend? Borrow the DVD or video from the library.

Emerging Legends: Dark Victory
Friday, September 5 at 7:00 PM
Refreshments will be served
Register online or call 824-1780 to save a seat.

Warner Brothers almost passed on this tearjerker classic because Jack Warner claimed no one would want to watch someone go blind. Their insistent young star Bette Davis convinced them to buy the rights and it became their biggest hit of the year. Can't attend? Borrow the DVD or video from the library.