Screening of “Golden Boy” with discussion afterward September 23 at Daystar Center

“Stanwyck on State Street” Series: Golden Boy (1939)
Where: Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street
When: September 23, 2017
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Hosted by Stephen Reginald

Golden Boy (1939) is the movie adaptation of the hit play by Clifford Odets, directed on film by Rouben Mamoulian. Barbara Stanwyck plays Lorna Moon, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who tries to raise her station in life by being the mistress of Tom Moody (Adolphe Menjou), an older boxing promoter. Things get complicated when Joe Bonaparte (William Holden), a new young boxer, signs on with Moody. Joe’s first love is music—he plays the violin—but he gets caught up in the excitement and big money a prize fighter can earn. William Holden became a star, in, this, his film debut, but it almost didn’t happen. The producers didn’t think Holden was right in the role, but Barbara Stanwyck came to Holden’s defense and helped coach him to a successful performance.

William Holden, Adolph Menjou, and Barbara Stanwyck

This is part of the “Stanwyck on State Street” series.

Backstory: William Holden plays the Golden Boy, but the producers weren’t sure they made the right decision. When the rushed came in, many thought Holden’s acting was lacking and were ready to replace him. Barbara Stanwcyk came to Holden’s defense, helping the young actor with his line readings and basically boosting his confidence. Stanwyck basically saved Holden’s movie career, a fact that Holden acknowledged at the 1973 Academy Award ceremony. You can see that clip below.

Have some Joe and Enjoy the Show!

You can bring food and beverages into the auditorium; we even have small tables set up next to some of the seats. General Admission: $5 Students and Senior Citizens: $3.

Join the Chicago Film club; join the discussion

Twice a month we screen classic films and have a brief discussion afterward. For more information, including how to join (it’s free), click here. The Venue 1550 is easily accessible by the CTA. Please visit Transit Chicago for more information on transportation options.

Stephen Reginald is a freelance writer and editor. He has worked at various positions within the publishing industry for over 25 years. Most recently he was executive editor for McGraw-Hill’s The Learning Group Division. A long-time amateur student of film, Reginald hosts “Chicago Film Club,” a monthly movie event held in the South Loop, for the past two years. Reginald has also taught several adult education film classes at Facets Film School, Chicago.

Screening of "Meet John Doe" at Daystar Center August 26

“Stanwyck on State Street” Series: Meet John Doe (1941)
Where: Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street
When: August 26, 2017
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Hosted by Stephen Reginald

Meet John Doe (1941) is the tale of Ann Mitchell (Barbara Stanwyck) a newspaper journalist. On the eve of her firing by a new owner, she stages a risky publicity stunt in order to negotiate to get her job back. In her last column, she creates a poor, unemployed character named John Doe who plans on jumping to his death from the roof of City Hall on Christmas Eve in order to protest the ills of society. The column catches the imagination of the newspaper’s readers so there is a mad scramble by the new publisher (James Gleason) to find a “real” John Doe to keep the story—and newspaper sales—going. Ann and the newspaper go on a search for someone who can play John Doe. They find a down-on-his luck former baseball pitcher (Gary Cooper) who is all too willing to go along with the game if he will receive medical treatment for his injured pitching arm. Ann’s columns make John Doe so popular that clubs in his name form across the country. All this publicity gets the attention of the newspaper’s corrupt publisher D. B. Norton (Edward Arnold). Norton has political aspirations and tries to use the John Doe clubs to promote his own interests. Will he succeed in manipulating John Doe? Or will John Doe end the movement with a jump from City Hall? Frank Capra directed this classic whose exploration of corruption and redemption still resonate with audiences 76 years after its initial release. The great supporting class also includes Walter Brennan (Sergeant York), Spring Byington (The Devil and Miss Jones), and Gene Lockhart (Miracle on 34th Street).

This is part of the “Stanwyck on State Street” series.

Have some Joe and Enjoy the Show!

You can bring food and beverages into the auditorium; we even have small tables set up next to some of the seats. General Admission: $5 Students and Senior Citizens: $3.

Join the Chicago Film club; join the discussion

Twice a month we screen classic films and have a brief discussion afterward. For more information, including how to join (it’s free), click here. The Venue 1550 is easily accessible by the CTA. Please visit Transit Chicago for more information on transportation options.

Stephen Reginald is a freelance writer and editor. He has worked at various positions within the publishing industry for over 25 years. Most recently he was executive editor for McGraw-Hill’s The Learning Group Division. A long-time amateur student of film, Reginald hosts “Chicago Film Club,” a monthly movie event held in the South Loop, for the past two years. Reginald has also taught several adult education film classes at Facets Film School, Chicago.

Screening of "Ball of Fire" at Daystar Center June 10

“Stanwyck on State Street” Series: Ball of Fire (1941)
Where: Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street
When: June 10, 2017
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Hosted by Stephen Reginald

New York Showgirl Sugarpuss O’Shea (Barbara Stanwyck) needs to hide out for a while to keep from being forced to testify against her gangster boyfriend, Joe Lilac (Dana Andrews). To escape the police, she finds refuge with a bunch of scholars working on an encyclopedia. Bertram Potts (Gary Cooper), a grammarian, is working on an entry on slang and thinks Sugarpuss could help him get up to speed on the current lingo.

While Sugarpuss is hiding out with Potts and his seven professor colleagues, she finds she’s getting attached to this odd collection of encyclopedia research writers. Potts falls head over heels for Sugarpuss, but Joe Lilac plans to marry Sugarpuss so she can’t testify against him in court. Will Lilac get his way or will Sugarpuss pledge her allegiance to Potts and the professors.

Stanwyck was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in this classic screwball comedy written by Charles Brackett and BillyWilder and directed by the legendary Howard Hawks. Ball of Fire boasts an impressive supporting cast, including Oskar Homolka, Henry Travers, S.Z. Sakall, Allen Jenkins, and Dan Duryea.

Screening of “Union Pacific” at Daystar Center May 12

“Stanwyck on State Street” Series: Union Pacific
Where: Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street
When: May 12, 2017
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Hosted by Stephen Reginald

Union Pacific (1939) is a rousing epic about the construction of the first intercontinental railroad. Directed by the master showman, Cecil B. DeMille, the movie is filled with plenty of action.

Jeff Butler (Joel McCrea) is hired by the Union Pacific to root out saboteurs who’ve been trying to destroy the railroad’s progress. Barbara Stanwyck plays Mollie Monahan, the railroad’s feisty postmistress who is courted by Dick Allen (Robert Preston).  Dick is working with the corrupt Sid Campeau (Brian Donlevy) who is bent on destroying the railroad and eliminating Butler’s railroad oversight. Although Mollie is betrothed to Dick, Jeff finds himself falling in love with her.

Every movie star needs to make a big-budget blockbuster epic at some point in their career and Union Pacific more than fills the bill for Stanwyck and McCrea. The large cast includes an early glimpse of Anthony Quinn as Jack Cordray, a henchman of Campeau.

This film is part of the “Stanwyck on State Street” series.

Joel McCrea, Barbara Stanwyck, and Robert Preston

Have some Joe and Enjoy the Show!

You can bring food and beverages into the auditorium; we even have small tables set up next to some of the seats. General Admission: $5 Students and Senior Citizens: $3.

Join the Chicago Film club; join the discussion

Twice a month we screen classic films and have a brief discussion afterward. For more information, including how to join (it’s free), click here. The Venue 1550 is easily accessible by the CTA. Please visit Transit Chicago for more information on transportation options.

Stephen Reginald is a freelance writer and editor. He has worked at various positions within the publishing industry for over 25 years. Most recently he was executive editor for McGraw-Hill’s The Learning Group Division. A long-time amateur student of film, Reginald hosts “Chicago Film Club,” a monthly movie event held in the South Loop, for the past two years. Reginald has also taught several adult education film classes at Facets Film School, Chicago.

Screening of “The Mad Miss Manton” at Daystar Center April 1

“Stanwyck on State Street” Film Series: The Mad Miss Manton (1938)
Where: The Venue 1550 at the Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street, Chicago, IL
When: April 1, 2017
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Hosted by Stephen Reginald

Heiress Melsa Manton (Stanwyck) and her Park Avenue society friends are constantly pulling pranks. This puts them at odds with the law and makes them the subject of negative stories in the press. When Melsa discovers a murder victim in a vacant building, she has a hard time convincing the police she’s telling the truth.

With the help of her Park Avenue pranksters, Melsa plays detective, putting her at odds with newspaper editor Peter Ames (Henry Fonda). Peter thinks Melsa and her ilk are foolish, spoiled, rich kids with too much time on their hands. Peter’s negative articles about Melsa and her friends drive Melsa crazy. She’s desperate to be taken seriously in spite of her less-than-serious reputation. Will Melsa be able to convince Peter that she’s not a dizzy heiress and help her solve the murder? The Mad Miss Manton was the first of three pictures that starred Stanwyck and Fonda and it’s a fun screwball romp in the tradition of My Man Godfrey and The Thin Man.

The Mad Miss Manton is part of the “Stanwyck on State Street” Film Series.

Have some Joe and Enjoy the Show!

You can bring food and beverages into the auditorium; we even have small tables set up next to some of the seats. General Admission: $5 Students and Senior Citizens: $3.

Join the Chicago Film club; join the discussion

Twice a month we screen classic films and have a brief discussion afterward. For more information, including how to join (it’s free), click here. The Venue 1550 is easily accessible by the CTA. Please visit Transit Chicago for more information on transportation options.

Stephen Reginald is a freelance writer and editor. He has worked at various positions within the publishing industry for over 25 years. Most recently he was executive editor for McGraw-Hill’s The Learning Group Division. A long-time amateur student of film, Reginald hosts “Chicago Film Club,” a monthly movie event held in the South Loop, for the past two years. Reginald has also taught several adult education film classes at Facets Film School, Chicago.

Screening of "Stella Dallas" at Daystar Center March 11

“Stanwyck on State Street” Film Series: Stella Dallas (1937)
Where: The Venue 1550 at the Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street, Chicago, IL
When: March 11, 2017
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Hosted by Stephen Reginald


Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, young Stella Martin (Stanwyck) manages to catch the eye of Stephen Dallas (John Boles), a well-bred business executive. The two fall in love and marry. For a time they’re happy, but after the birth of their daughter, Laurel (Anne Shirley), the marriage begins to deteriorate. Stella wants to go out dancing and rub elbows with the upper-class folks at the country club. Stephen expects his wife to be content to stay at home with their child, a much quieter existence than the life Stella desires. They eventually divorce, with Stella having the main custody of Laurel. Stella is determined to give her daughter the things she never had, but when Stephen begins a new relationship, Stella feels her closeness with Laurel slipping away. Always putting her daughter’s happiness above her own, Stella faces a choice no mother should have to make.

Barbara Stanwyck and Marjorie Main in Stella Dallas

Stanwyck received the first of her four Best Actress Oscar nominations for her role as Stella. Stanwyck was so determined to get the part that she submitted to a screen test—something unheard of for a star of her caliber. She convinced the director (King Vidor) and the producer (Samuel Goldwyn) that she could be convincing as a mother, especially as the character ages into midlife. The supporting cast includes Marjorie Main, Barbara O’Neil, and a very young Tim Holt.

Anne Shirley, who turned 18 during the filming of Stella Dallas had this to say about Stanwyck: “She was prepared to the very top of her ability. Dialogue learned perfectly. Hair, clothes, energy ready.”

This film is part of the “Stanwyck on State Street” series.

Check out the introduction to Stella Dallas by Robert Osborne and Drew Barrymore.

Have some Joe and Enjoy the Show!

You can bring food and beverages into the auditorium; we even have small tables set up next to some of the seats. General Admission: $5 Students and Senior Citizens: $3.

Join the Chicago Film club; join the discussion

Twice a month we screen classic films and have a brief discussion afterward. For more information, including how to join (it’s free), click here. The Venue 1550 is easily accessible by the CTA. Please visit Transit Chicago for more information on transportation options.

Stephen Reginald is a freelance writer and editor. He has worked at various positions within the publishing industry for over 25 years. Most recently he was executive editor for McGraw-Hill’s The Learning Group Division. A long-time amateur student of film, Reginald hosts “Chicago Film Club,” a monthly movie event held in the South Loop, for the past two years. Reginald has also taught several adult education film classes at Facets Film School, Chicago.

Looking for more "Stanwyck on State Street?" Look for The Mad Miss Manton to screen on April 1. This screwball comedy paired Stanwyck and Henry Fonda for the first time. They made a total of three movies together: The Mad Miss Manton (1938), The Lady Eve, and You Were Meant for Me (both 1942).

Pre-Code Classic "Baby Face" at Daystar Center February 18

“Stanwyck on State Street” Film Series: Baby Face
Where: The Venue 1550 at the Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street, Chicago, IL
When: February 18, 2017
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Hosted by Stephen Reginald

Baby Face (1933) was the Pre-Code Hollywood film that helped usher in the Production Code. Very frank for its time, the plot concerns one Lily Powers (Barbara Stanwyck) and her attempts to use sex to advance her social and financial status. After her father’s death, Lily leaves her home in Erie, Pennsylvania, for New York City. She lands an entry-level job at a bank by flirting with the assistant to the personnel director.

From this small job, she climbs the ladder by using the men who employ her. Along the way she has an affair with Jimmy McCoy Jr. (a very young John Wayne), but soon casts him aside when she seduces his boss. When the grandson of the company’s founder, Courtland Tenholm (George Brent) is elected president, Lily’s plans go in another direction.

This early Stanwyck film is an example of what movies were like before the studio-lead Production Code went into effect in 1934.

Theresa Harris and Barbara Stanwyck in Baby Face

This film is part of the “Stanwyck on State Street” series.

Have some Joe and Enjoy the Show!

You can bring food and beverages into the auditorium; we even have small tables set up next to some of the seats. General Admission: $5 Students and Senior Citizens: $3.

Join the Chicago Film club; join the discussion

Twice a month we screen classic films and have a brief discussion afterward. For more information, including how to join (it’s free), click here. The Venue 1550 is easily accessible by the CTA. Please visit Transit Chicago for more information on transportation options.

Stephen Reginald is a freelance writer and editor. He has worked at various positions within the publishing industry for over 25 years. Most recently he was executive editor for McGraw-Hill’s The Learning Group Division. A long-time amateur student of film, Reginald hosts “Chicago Film Club,” a monthly movie event held in the South Loop, for the past two years. Reginald has also taught several adult education film classes at Facets Film School, Chicago.

Frank Capra’s “The Miracle Woman” screening at Daystar Center January 14

“Stanwyck on State Street” Film Series: The Miracle Woman
Where: The Venue 1550 at the Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street, Chicago, IL
When: January 14, 2017
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Hosted by Stephen Reginald

Director Frank Capra (It Happened One Night and It’s a Wonderful Life) directed five movies starring Barbara Stanwyck. The Miracle Woman (1931) was their second collaboration and considered among their best. It’s a story of faith, disappointment, and redemption that was made at a time when American evangelism was at its peak.

Barbara Stanwyck and David Manners in The Miracle Woman

What’s it all about?
Stanwyck plays Florence Fallon whose pastor father is forced out of his church to make way for a younger man. Heartbroken over losing his pastorate, Florence’s father dies right before he’s set to give his farewell sermon. Florence starts to deliver her father’s sermon, but ends up scolding the church for firing her father so abruptly. After driving the congregation from the church with her fiery rebuke, Bob Hornsby, a con man, approaches her. He asks Florence to join forces with him to become a fake evangelist and faith healer. Bitter, disillusioned, and with no income of her own, Florence takes Hornsby up on his offer. In no time, “Sister Fallon” becomes a famous evangelist who heads a large church and whose sermons are broadcast over the radio. When one of Sister Fallon’s sermons helps a depressed, young blind man from committing suicide, Florence begins to reevaluate her life. Will she return to the faith of her father or will she continue to go down a path leading to her own destruction?

This pre-Code classic is as powerful today as it was 86 years ago. Filmmakers like Ron Howard (Apollo 13) consider it one of Capra’s best efforts.

The Miracle Woman is  part of the “Stanwyck on State Street” film series.

Barbara Stanwyck (left) and Frank Capra (right) made five films together

Have some Joe and Enjoy the Show!

You can bring food and beverages into the auditorium; we even have small tables set up next to some of the seats. General Admission: $5 Students and Senior Citizens: $3.

Join the Chicago Film club; join the discussion

Twice a month we screen classic films and have a brief discussion afterward. For more information, including how to join (it’s free), click here. The Venue 1550 is easily accessible by the CTA. Please visit Transit Chicago for more information on transportation options.

Stephen Reginald is a freelance writer and editor. He has worked at various positions within the publishing industry for over 25 years. Most recently he was executive editor for McGraw-Hill’s The Learning Group Division. A long-time amateur student of film, Reginald hosts “Chicago Film Club,” a monthly movie event held in the South Loop, for the past two years. Reginald has also taught several adult education film classes at Facets Film School, Chicago.

“Stanwyck on State Street” film series at Daystar Center

The Chicago Film Club will present “Stanwyck on State Street” at Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street. The series showcasing the films of Barbara Stanwyck will begin with The Miracle Woman (1931) on January 14. The legendary Frank Capra directed the story of a popular American evangelist played by Stanwyck. Capra and Stanwyck made five films together; The Miracle Woman was their second.

Stanwyck in Stella Dallas

Other films to be screened include, Baby Face (1933), Stella Dallas (1937), The Mad Miss Manton (1938), Union Pacific (1939), Golden Boy (1939), and Ball of Fire (1941).

Stanwyck and Henry Fonda in The Mad Miss Manton

Stanwyck’s film career began with appearances in silent films. Director Frank Capra cast her in his film Ladies of Leisure (1930), which helped established her as a major movie star. In interviews, Capra always spoke of his admiration for Stanwyck. When talking about the great actresses he worked with: Jean Arthur, Claudette Colbert, and Stanwyck, it was obvious which of the three he preferred. Of Stanwyck he said: “She [could] give you that burst of emotion better than the other two could … she [was] probably the most interesting of the three. She [was] also the hardest to define … she played the parts that were a little tougher.”

Stanwyck in between Joel McCrea and Robert Preston in Union Pacific

Perhaps more than any other actress of her generation, Stanwyck’s versatility and modern acting style still intrigue film critics and moviegoers alike. It’s hard to parody her films in the way it’s easy to mimic the performances of  Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis. Her performances are lacking in exaggerated physical movements and tics, trademarks of Hepburn and Davis.

Besides Capra, Stanwyck worked the top directors of the day, including Howard Hawks, Cecil B. DeMille, Preston Sturges, King Vidor, William Wellman, Rouben Mamoulian, Melvin LeRoy, Wesley Ruggles, Billy Wilder, Fritz Lang, Lewis Milestone, Mitchell Leisen, Robert Wise, Anatole Litvak, and George Stevens.

Movies scheduled listed below. Saturday films begin at 6:45 p.m.; Tuesday movies begin at 6:30 p.m.More films will be scheduled later.

The Miracle Woman (1931) – January 14
Baby Face (1933) – February 18
Stella Dallas (1937) – March 11
The Mad Miss Manton (1938) – April 1
Union Pacific (1939) – May 13