About us
People often ask me, "What IS a Classic Movie?". Well, one thing for sure is that it doesn't HAVE to be made before you were born AND it doesn't HAVE to be in B&W. It MAY be both but, on the contrary, it may have come out in 2023 at Christmastime, like Alexander Payne's The Holdovers. A Classic Movie is a GREAT *movie that stands the test of time but may not be truly appreciated in its own time, like **Frank Capra's *It's a Wonderful Life (1946).
MISSION STATEMENT: Let's get together and watch GREAT movies of ALL eras & genres on The Big Screen AND at small events at members’ homes!
Our goal is not JUST seeing the best movies of both the past AND today, but making time afterward to talk about them and perhaps even becoming Film Friends.
There will also occasionally be events related to other areas of the Arts and local culture.
And each year we have an Oscars Party!
Although based in Fenton, MO, we will host events throughout the Metropolitan area, on BOTH sides of the Mississippi AND Missouri Rivers, including both St. Charles County and Edwardsville, IL!
We are looking for an ACTIVE membership, which for us means you'll attend at least ONE event each year.
Please submit a recent "selfie" profile photo when you join so we can easily recognize you at our doorsteps and in public places. Profile photos are most effective when they include only one human being and when that human being is not wearing sunglasses =OR= a hat.
I hope you'll also consider supporting my wife, Shirley's, plant-based eating group: https://www.meetup.com/plant-based-stl/
Established Monday, 11/19/2018!
Upcoming events
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MICHAEL (2026) @ Ronnie's - VALUE TUESDAY!
Marcus Ronnie’s Cinema, 5320 S Lindbergh Ave,, Saint Louis, MO, USI highly recommend becoming a MAGICAL MOVIE REWARDS member with Marcus!
https://www.marcustheatres.com/movie-rewardsALL MARCUS THEATERS ARE EXCLUSIVELY RESERVED SEATING!
Please purchase your tickets ASAP!Here's what's CURRENTLY available:
https://ticketing.marcustheatres.com/seat/layout?Siteid=2533&FeatureCode=HO00007235&SDate=2026-05-19&STime=17%3A25&Perf=241594To make it easier to connect, once I buy my ticket(s), I will post the location(s) in the Comments below and I encourage all other participants to do the same.
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You can also download the Marcus App on your phone and order tickets there. You can get refunds up until 60 minutes ahead of showtime.
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After the movie, we will gather in the lobby/food court for food and/or drinks & lively, provocative, and insightful conversation--OR as close as we can come to that, anyway--HA!
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JERRY SAYS: Michael Jackson was my 1st hero my own age. When I saw him on The Ed Sullivan Show December 14, 1969, I wished that was ME and MY musical brothers! I'd love to believe Macaulay Culkin's version of what happened later on, but...Of course, this movie ends in 1988...
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Fandango
MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.NOTE: On Rotten Tomatoes, this movie has a 39% on the Tomatometer and an 97% on the Popcornmeter.
https://www.fandango.com/michael-2026-243301/movie-overview?date=2026-05-19 [Includes a trailer]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_(2026_film)2 attendees
Great Movie @ Ken & Sophia's! | REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (1990)
Chesterfield, MO TBD, TBD, Chesterfield, MO, USMovie @ Ken & Sophia's Home in Chesterfield, MO, featuring Ken's NEW 100" Screen! Continuing in the tradition of the 2nd Saturday of the month!
Their address will be group e-mailed to attendees 24 hours ahead of the event.
SCHEDULE
6:30PM: Show-up/Mingle
7PM: Movie - No one admitted after the movie starts
9PM: Discuss/MinglePlease post your Movie Food/Beverage Contribution To Share in the Comments section below.
Contributions are NOT required.
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JUNE's movie was selected by member TEAH SLOAN!When socialite Sunny von Bülow (Glenn Close) inexplicably slips into an irreversible coma, police suspect foul play -- and the obvious suspect is her urbane husband, Claus (Jeremy Irons). After being found guilty of murder, Claus is granted a retrial and hires showboat Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz (Ron Silver) to represent him. Though unconvinced of Claus's innocence, Dershowitz enjoys a challenge and -- along with a group of his students -- fights to have the verdict overturned.
NOTE: On Rotten Tomatoes, this movie has a 92% on the Tomatometer and a 78% on the Popcornmeter.
https://www.allmovie.com/movie/reversal-of-fortune-am12638 [Includes Trailer!]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reversal_of_Fortune
https://www.scripts.com/script/reversal_of_fortune_168916 attendees
Thursday Night Movies | GABRIEL OVER THE WHITE HOUSE (1933_PRE Code/New-To-Me)
Jerry & Shirley's House, 63026 - Exact address will be sent to attendees 24 hours before the event, Fenton, MO, USWelcome to Thursday Night Movies @ Jerry & Shirley's!
This movie fits into the "worthwhile, new-to-me movies from ALL eras & genres" AND pre-code categories, but some of these movies will be NEW Classic, some will be Film Noir, and some will be 3D.
GENERALLY, this will be a regularly occurring Event on the LAST Thursday every other month.
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This Event will take place at our home near GRAVOIS BLUFFS in Fenton, MO. Our address and directions to it will be e-mailed to each attendee via MeetUp 24 hours ahead of the event. We'd prefer to have a home e-mail address and/or cell# (that we will keep confidential) for each person who attends one of our Home Events, so please consider providing one asap--THANKS!SCHEDULE
6:30PM: Show-up/Mingle
7PM: Movie begins - No one admitted after the movie starts
9PM: Discuss/Mingle
10PM: Jerry & Shirley go to bed!Jerry & Shirley will provide some air-popped popcorn, a variety of sodas [Coke, Sprite, Diet Pepsi, etc.], Hot Chocolate (with/without Irish Cream), and maybe more! If you're of a mind to and haven't done so already, please post your Movie Food/Beverage Contribution To Share in the Comments section below.
Contributions are NOT required.
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JERRY SAYS: Watch this and see if it doesn't remind you of a particular contemporary president...even though it came out in 1933!
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Rotten Tomatoes
When Judson Hammond (Walter Huston) is elected United States president during the Great Depression, he's seen by many as a hands-off, please-everyone type. After an astounding recovery from a car accident, however, Hammond awakes a changed man. Instituting sweeping, radical changes to the government -- including the dissolution of Congress and the revoking of the Constitution -- Hammond somehow manages to bring order to the country through dictatorship, along with world peace.NOTE: On Rotten Tomatoes, this movie has a 71% on the Tomatometer and an 55% on the Popcornmeter.
https://www.allmovie.com/movie/gabriel-over-the-white-house-am29555 [Includes Trailer]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Over_the_White_House
https://www.scripts.com/script/gabriel_over_the_white_house_87347 attendees
Shirley Stoler in THE HONEYMOON KILLERS (1970) @ The ARKADIN/ | $9
Arkadin Cinema & Bar, 5228 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO, USSince this 50-seat theater DOES sell out MANY events, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you buy your tickets online BEFORE signing up for this MeetUp Event!
There is NO FEE for this service.
IF something comes up and you can't make it, simply email arkadincinema@gmail.com for a prompt refund.
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June 2026 Schedule
https://arkadincinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/June-2026.webpGeneral Admission - $9
5228 Gravois Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63116
Microcinema in the Heart of Bevo!
https://arkadincinema.com/events/
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PLENTY of Public Parking a block closer to the Bevo Mill @ Walsh/Duke & Gravois!
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After the movie, we will gather in the lobby for lively, provocative, and insightful conversation--OR as close as we can come to that, anyway--HA!
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JERRY SAYS: Like Tim Lucas, I believe Shirley Stoler was AKA Shirley Kilpatrick, changing her name after the filming of The Astounding She-Monster (1958), one of my FAVORITE movies I saw on our local Zone 2 show.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4z7PiPhLyA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Murdock_(actor)Read more HERE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Stoler
https://books.google.com/books?id=B7kUCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT149#v=onepage&q&f=false
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**Part of the series, "**John Waters Says WATCH THIS FILM".
https://arkadincinema.com/events/category/john-waters-says-watch-this-film/
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“Stoler is Divine, Annie Wilkes, Joan Rivers and Nurse Ratchet merged into one unforgettable performance. The film’s low budget, often amateurish editing, and hand-held camerawork blend beautifully and make the film into a work of art.” – Stefan Birgir StefansMartha Beck (Shirley Stoler) is sullen, overweight, and lonely. Desperate for affection, she joins Aunt Carrie’s Friendship Club and strikes up a correspondence with Ray Fernandez (Tony Lo Bianco), a charismatic smooth talker who could be the man of her dreams—or a degenerate con artist. Based on a shocking true story and shot in documentary-style black and white by the confident and inspired Leonard Kastle, in what would be his only foray into filmmaking, THE HONEYMOON KILLERS is a stark portrayal of the desperate lengths to which a lonely heart will go to find true love. THE HONEYMOON KILLERS was one of John Waters’ picks when he visited the Criterion Closet, and he said Shirley Stoler’s performance was so vivid and raw that when he finally met her in person, he was afraid she might kill him!
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The Arkadin does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. However, we encourage researching titles to determine if a screening may contain content that could be upsetting to you. Please feel free to contact us for guidance on specific films. Information about content can also be found on Common Sense Media, IMDB and DoesTheDogDie.com, as well as through general internet searches.
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NOTE: On Rotten Tomatoes, this movie has a 95% on the Tomatometer and an 68% on the Popcornmeter.https://arkadincinema.com/event/the-honeymoon-killers-1970/ [Includes Trailer]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Honeymoon_Killers
https://www.scripts.com/script/the_honeymoon_killers_101302 attendees
Past events
601
Group links
Organizers
Jerry "Dr." Durrwachter, P. is a Super Organizer


