by Beryl Williams

The Ninth Classic Film Screening headlined on August 12^th was THE JOY LUCK CLUB (1993) with France Nuyen attending.  She was a Golden Globe Award nominee who portrayed one mother in the club about women who played the Chinese game of Mahjong for money while feasting on a variety of foods.   The women attempted to help one another banish nightmares about problems they had encountered during their youth in China.   Foster stated that he is not Chinese, nor is he a woman, but he finds himself immersed in these tales of women who are trying to overcome problems from their past.  Those who also starred in the film are Kieu Chinh, Tsai Chin, Lisa Lu, Ming Na Wen, Tamlyn Tomita, Lauren Tom and Rosalind Chao.

Discussion was held in the Friends Room at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library and featured Opening remarks by Librarian Deborah Takahashi with a Welcome by Monterey Park Mayor Jose Sanchez.  He commented on the splendid architecture in the Monterey Park library building that stands above all other libraries in the San Gabriel Valley.

Professor Hirsch has moderated all nine Classic Film Screenings, encompassing the years 2013 through this year’s event.  He graduated from Ynez School and Mark Keppel High School and his local roots motivate his return to Monterey Park each year.  His enthusiasm for movies, actors, actresses and directors he’s written about provide us with insight that deepens our understanding of the story being told.  He has been a Professor of Film and Drama at City University in New York for decades and remains in that position. Professor Hirsch will be busy this fall as the Publisher Knopf has stated that October 10^th is the date that his newest book will be released.  The title is: HOLLYWOOD AND THE MOVIES OF THE FIFTIES.  The beat goes on!