Ballwin Library Not Just for Bookworms

Sheila Baltz, a librarian at the St. Louis County Library in Ballwin, said her inspiration for starting free film screenings for the public started with a personal passion.

"Movies are pretty much my life," Baltz said. With a desire to spread her love for cinema, she decided early in 2009 that showing classic films would satiate her love for film while also sharing it with the community. After one successful screening, a regular featured developed that recently blossomed into two screenings each month with one evening viewing, and one matinee.

Although films typically either are critical classics or tied to current events, Baltz said she's always looking for recommendations from patrons. Although the turnout usually varies, Baltz said they manage to consistently attract a crowd that makes for "a wonderful meeting place."

Matt Ward is the manager at Blockbuster in Ellisville and the branch's preeminent movie buff. Although he tries to avoid pretension and cites the Back to the Future series as all-time favorites, seeking out classics from the library stirs up some celluloid nostalgia.

"I used to watch classics like this after school," Ward said.

On Tuesday, the library will feature its two films for November, the first screening at 2 p.m., and the second at 6:30.  That afternoon's feature, the film noir, Laura, received five Academy Awards after its 1944 release thanks in part to co-stars Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. The evening presentation will be the 1958 musical Gigi, which stars Leslie Caron and Louis Jourdan. Gigi went on to win nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Both screenings are free to the public and refreshments will be served, but to accommodate crowds, large groups are asked to call in advance. All patrons must be at least 16 years of age. 

The St. Louis County Library's Daniel Boone Branch is located at 300 Clarkson Road in Ballwin. For more information on this and other events, visit the St. Louis County Library's official calendar.

* Upcoming Screenings:

December 2010: Christmas in Connecticut, Scrooged

January 2011: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Double Indemnity

* Exact dates TBA; selections are subject to change