Every March, the world recognizes International Women’s History Month. The Linden Public Library will again commemorate this occasion with our annual film series that celebrates women in a variety of roles in motion pictures over the years. This year, we celebrate six living, Oscar-winning octogenarians and four other acting and entertainment legends. All films are shown free-of-charge in the Columbia Bank Room.
March 5 – 2:00 – The Iron Lady (2011; PG13; 105 mins)
Meryl Streep won her third Oscar for this role as she portrays Margaret Thatcher, Great Britain’s first woman Prime Minister. Streep marks her 70th birthday on June 22.
March 8 – 1:00 – Shakespeare in Love (1998; R; 122 mins)
This film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Gwyneth Paltrow and Best Supporting Actress for Judi Dench, who turns 85 on December 9.
March 12 – 2:00 – Terms of Endearment (1983; PG; 132 mins)
Winner of five Academy Awards overall including Best Picture and Director, this film earned Shirley MacLaine her Best Actress Oscar. MacLaine turns 85 on April 24.
March 15 – 1:00 – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975; R; 133 mins)
This film became the second motion picture to win the “Big Five” Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Louise Fletcher, who turns 85 on July 22.
March 19 – 2:00 – The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969; PG; 116 mins)
Maggie Smith won her first Best Actress Oscar for this film as a headstrong teacher in a 1930s Scottish private school for girls. Smith turns 85 on December 28.
March 22 – 1:00 – Elmer Gantry (1960; NR; 146 mins)
Shirley Jones won her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in this film about a travelling salesman-turned-preacher played by Burt Lancaster. Jones turns 85 on March 31.
March 25 – 2:00 – Two Women (1960; NR; 100 mins)
Sophia Loren became the first performer to win Best Actress in a foreign language film about a widow and her daughter in worn-torn Italy. Loren turns 85 on September 20.
March 26 – 2:00 – Lady Sings the Blues (1972; R; 144 mins)
We celebrate Diana Ross on her 75th birthday with her Oscar-nominated performance in this biographical film about legendary jazz singer, Billie Holliday.
March 29 – 1:00 – Mother (1996; PG13; 104 mies)
We remember the late, great Debbie Reynolds with her Golden Globe-nominated role in this movie as her neurotic, twice-divorced son, played by Albert Brooks, moves back in with her to solve his personal problems with her. Frustration and comedy ensue.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006; R; 101 minutes)
This two time Academy Award winner tells the story of a family determined to get their daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant, driving cross county in their VW van. It stars Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Abigail Breslin and Oscar winner, Alan Arkin.
Wrinkle in Time (2018; PG; 115 minutes)
Kicking off the Friends of the Linden Library’s Books to Films Series is this recent movie based on the timeless young adult classic novel by Madeleine L’Engle. This film stars Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling.
