St. Helena Public Library's Film Class was created with the Cameo Cinema to provide a forum for nurturing a deeper understanding of film culture and to keep the tradition of the film-going experience alive here in the Napa Valley.

Film Class is held at the theater each TUESDAY at  1:00 PM.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER FILM CLASS WITH TERENCE FORD

THE FILMS OF FRANK CAPRA

People love Frank Capra movies for many reasons, including their themes of American exceptionalism, the power of the American Dream, and the importance of standing up for what’s right.

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER 5

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)

Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart) is appointed to the United States Senate by a big political machine which seeks to profit by his naive misunderstanding of his corrupt peers in Washington and at home. Frank Capra’s political satire focus’ on the message that decency and honesty in politics are important and that a single person can a make difference as well as the lack of democracy in American government and the ignorance of the American people. 

Starring James Stewart, Jean Arthur and Claude Rains

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER 12

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944)

Writer and notorious marriage detractor Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant) falls for girl-next-door Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane), and they tie the knot on Halloween. When the newlyweds return to their respective family homes to deliver the news, Brewster finds a corpse hidden in a window seat. With his eccentric aunts, disturbed uncle, and homicidal brother, he starts to realize that his family is even crazier than he thought. 

Starring Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey and Peter Lorre

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19

POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES (1961)

Beggar Apple Annie (Bette Davis) learns that her daughter, escorted by an aristocratic suitor, plans to visit. It's great news -- except that she has tricked her daughter into believing she is a wealthy socialite. Fearing her true identity will disappoint, Annie petitions a superstitious mobster (Glenn Ford), who thinks the apples she sells are lucky, for help. 

Starring Glen Ford, Bette Davis and Hope Lange

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3

A HOLE IN THE HEAD (1959)

Tony Manetta (Frank Sinatra) struggles to own and operate a Miami hotel. Irresponsible in both business and romance, Tony is dedicated to his young son, Ally, though he butts heads with his own brother, Mario (Edward G. Robinson). When Mario agrees to help Tony out financially, the catch is that the bachelor has to settle down and find a mother for his son. 

Starring Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson, Eleanor Parker and Thelma Ritter

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all - and it's Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence - who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all his good deeds over the years. 

Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore