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
11
William A. Wellman's NOTHING SACRED (1937) @ The ARKADIN/ | $5
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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February 2026 Schedule
https://arkadincinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/February-2026.webpGeneral Admission - $5
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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Each week in February, Arkadin presents SCREWBALL SUNDAYS, $5 matinee screenings of some of the zaniest comedies from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
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Based on "Letter to the Editor" 1937 short story Cosmopolitan by James H. Street
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Street_(novelist)“A marvelous black comedy full of wit and journalistic wisdom… just as funny today as when it was first filmed.” – TV Guide
A legendary, though lesser-seen, screwball classic, NOTHING SACRED is one of the few comedies from the era to be filmed in Technicolor. Comedy queen Carole Lombard—in the only color feature she made before her untimely death—and Frederic March face off in a brilliant media satire scripted by ex-newspaperman Ben Hecht and directed by genre maestro William Wellman. This surprisingly cynical black comedy stars March as a shady reporter who exploits the tragic (if dubious) story of a young woman (Lombard) dying of radium poisoning. Briskly paced and sharp as a tack, NOTHING SACRED is an uproarious delight.
Ben Hecht's screenplay was also the basis of a Broadway musical Hazel Flagg (1953), with Helen Gallagher, as well as Living It Up (1954), a comedy film starring Dean Martin in the Winninger role, Jerry Lewis in the Lombard role (as Homer Flagg), and Janet Leigh in the March role.
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 100% on the Tomatometer and an 69% on the Popcornmeter.https://arkadincinema.com/event/technicolor-screwball-classic-nothing-sacred-1937/ [Includes Trailer]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_Sacred_(film)
https://www.scripts.com/script/nothing_sacred_149894 attendees
2026 Oscar®-Nominated Short Films @ The Hi-Pointe!
The Hi-Pointe Theatre, 1005 McCausland Ave, St. Louis, MO, USFROM 2025:
"If the Hi-Pointe had asked me, they'd have run ALL THREE PROGRAMS marathon-style, starting @ 1PM on a Saturday."Well, OF COURSE, even though I've been organizing fans of Popular Culture since 1977, the Hi-Pointe did NOT ask me but, thanks to The Synergy of the Universe, the stars went ahead and aligned, anyway--HA!
Shirley & I are going to watch them MARATHON-style from 1PM-8:30PM on Saturday, 2/21, but you can watch them ANY way the Hi-Pointe scheduling allows.
I'm hoping I can get some food at either the Hi-Pointe Drive In =OR= the Chinese place next door between the DOCUMENTARY and LIVE ACTION Shorts...Who wants to join us?
SCHEDULE:
2026 OSCAR®-NOMINATED ANIMATED SHORT FILMS
https://hipointetheatre.org/movies/2026-oscar-nominated-animated-shorts/
Run Time: 82 min.
Sat, Feb 21, 1PM2026 OSCAR®-NOMINATED DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS
https://hipointetheatre.org/movies/2026-oscar-nominated-documentary-short-films/
Run Time: 157 min.
Sat, Feb 21, 3PM2026 OSCAR®-NOMINATED LIVE ACTION SHORT FILMS
https://hipointetheatre.org/movies/2026-oscar-nominated-live-action-short-films/
Run Time: 119 min.
Sat, Feb 21, 6:15PM
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General Admission - $12 PER PROGRAM!
Student/Senior - $9 PER PROGRAM!
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If you're NOT a Student/Senior, you can save at least $3/movie by becoming a Cinema St. Louis member.
MORE INFO: https://cinemastlouis.org/membership
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Coming SOON!
https://hipointetheatre.org/coming-soon/February 2026
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15SC3UYThKVQnWdZd3OXxvXR70k-4dc1g/viewADVANCE TICKETS:
This process does NOT get you a specific seat in the theater. If you believe an event like this might sell out though, have at it. It does allow you to make a convenient additional donation to Cinema St. Louis, if you're so inclined.
PARKING:
The Hi-Pointe has its own parking in various places behind the theater, but in 45 years of going there, I have never used it.
After 6PM M-F, after 12PM Saturday, and ALL DAY SUNDAY, there’s plenty of FREE parking right next door HERE:
Lindell Bank
6900 Clayton Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63139
314-645-7700***
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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For the 21st consecutive year, Shorts TV presents the Oscar®-Nominated Short Films. With all three categories offered — Animated, Live Action and Documentary — this is your annual chance to predict the winners (and have the edge in your Oscar pool)! A perennial hit with audiences around the country and the world, don’t miss this year’s selection of shorts.The Academy Awards take place Sun, Mar 15.
MORE INFO:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Documentary_Short_Film
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Live_Action_Short_Film
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Animated_Short_Film
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98th_Academy_Awards8 attendees
Buster Keaton's THE GENERAL (1927) @ Chase Park Plaza Cinema | $5.00@
Chase Park Plaza Theater, 212 Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, MO, USPark in the Park Plaza Parking Garage, 46 Maryland Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63108, bring your parking ticket in, get it validated by the theater staff, and PARK FREE!
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Chase Park Plaza Cinemas ARE EXCLUSIVELY RESERVED SEATING!Here's what's CURRENTLY available:
https://booking.chaseparkplazacinema.com/seats/7/136803000065
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The Chase charges $1.50/ticket fee to purchase seats online, and I'm too frugal (CHEAP!) to pay those, so I'll be buying my ticket the day of the Event.
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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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Johnnie loves two things: his train and the lovely Annabelle Lee. When the Civil War breaks out, he enlists as a soldier, but it is decided that he is too valuable as an engineer. Annabelle thinks it is because he is a coward. When Union spies capture Johnnie with Annabelle on board, Johnnie "The General" must rescue both his loves.NOTE: On Rotten Tomatoes, this movie has an 92% on the Tomatometer and a 92% on the Popcornmeter.
Release dates:
December 31, 1926 (Tokyo)
February 5, 1927 (New York City)https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-general-am6848?a0c347aa74d43a32098828ce305f1aae [Includes trailer]
https://www.chaseparkplazacinema.com/movies/108016-the-general-1927/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_General_(1926_film)8 attendees
Thursday Night Movies | STRANGER ON THE THIRD FLOOR (1940_Film Noir/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 "Film Noir, new-to-me movies from ALL eras & genres" category, but some of these movies will be PRE-Code, some will be NEW Classic, 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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Wikipedia
Stranger on the Third Floor is a 1940 American film noir directed by Boris Ingster in his directorial debut and starring Peter Lorre, John McGuire, Margaret Tallichet, and Charles Waldron, and featuring Elisha Cook Jr. It was written by Frank Partos. Modern research has shown that Nathanael West wrote the final version of the screenplay, but was uncredited.It is the film now most commonly cited as the first true film noir.
NOTE: On Rotten Tomatoes, this movie has an 86% rating on the Tomatometer and a 63% rating on the Popcornmeter.
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-766VRy4ls
https://www.allmovie.com/movie/stranger-on-the-third-floor-am40872
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_on_the_Third_Floor
https://www.scripts.com/script/stranger_on_the_third_floor_1896410 attendees
Past events
551
Group links
Members
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