Friday, June 27, 2025 - 6:00 pm
June 27 - Claudine (1974), 92 minutes, directed by John Berry, starring Diahann Carroll, James Earl Jones, and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs.
Claudine, a raucous comedy-drama infused with 1970s energy, is a rare cinematic take on the welfare system as illuminated by the plight of a single mother raising six kids in Harlem. Complications, including the resentment and suspicions of her children, deepen when she is courted by a garbage collector. Claudine is considerably enhanced by a score by Curtis Mayfield and vocals by Gladys Knight & the Pips. As the eponymous Claudine, singer-model-actress Diahann Carroll was feared too beautiful and glamorous for the tough and downtrodden role. She proved her naysayers wrong, and was Oscar nominated in the process.
June CinemaLit - Trailblazing Actresses of Black Hollywood
June has us exploring the accomplishments of trailblazing African American women in Hollywood. Opportunities were horribly limited for black actresses to shine, but sometimes with a confluence of the right performer for the right role, talent couldn’t be denied. As the Academy Awards, for all their inconsistencies, are a barometer of acclaim and accomplishment, we are screening four films that earned their stars acting nominations. Join us for Pinky (1949) with Ethel Waters, Carmen Jones (1954) with Dorothy Dandridge, Imitation of Life (1959) with Juanita Moore, and Claudine (1974) with Diahann Carroll.
Matthew Kennedy, CinemaLit’s curator, has written biographies of Marie Dressler, Joan Blondell, and Edmund Goulding. His book Roadshow! The Fall of Film Musicals in the 1960s, was the basis of a film series on Turner Classic Movies. His most recent book, On Elizabeth Taylor: An Opinionated Guide, examines the screen legend's entire career.
“I don't have a favorite film,” Matthew says. "I find that my relationships to films, actors, genres, and directors change as I change over the years. Some don't hold up. Some look more profound, as though I've caught up with their artistry. I feel that way about Garbo, Cary Grant, director John Cassavetes, and others."
“Classic films have historical context, something only time can provide,” Matt observes. “They become these great cultural artifacts, so revealing of tastes, attitudes, and assumptions.”
Cafe opens at 5:30 pm with wine, beer, sparkling water, juice, and fresh-popped popcorn for sale.
Tickets can be purchased online below, or onsite in Office 406 during the following box office hours:
Monday: 10 am to 6 pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 1 pm to 6 pm
Thursday: 12 pm to 4 pm
Friday: 1 pm to 4 pm
Saturday: Closed
Please note: Photos and/or video may be taken during this event.
CinemaLit Films
