Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s love story was the stuff of Hollywood legend, but it was their shared love for the state of Connecticut that drove them to shoot several of their most popular films in the area, showcasing the iconic beauty of New England and changing the history of Hollywood forever. In Connecticut in the Movies, actress and film historian Illeana Douglas takes readers on a cinematic road trip through Hollywood history and Connecticut geography, writing about the many genres of films from the silent era to the present day that have featured or have been set in Connecticut, and defining how its perception has shifted from suburban bliss in Mr. Blanding’s Builds His Dream House to suburban horror in The Stepford Wives. At Chicago Humanities, Illeana Douglas, alongside Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s daughter, Melissa Newman, will sit down with Chicago Sun-Times film critic Richard Roeper to talk about the importance of Connecticut cinema and to dive into some of the personal stories from Melissa’s new book, Head Over Heels, which features intimate stories and photos of this iconic American couple.

A book signing will follow this program.

• This program is presented with support from Francis W. Parker School.
• Chicago Humanities is pleased to partner with the Seminary Co-op Bookstores, a Chicago not-for-profit bookstore whose mission is bookselling. Pre-order your copy of Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses to Dark Suburbia and Head Over Heels: Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman: A Love Affair in Words and Pictures through the Chicago Humanities Box Office and save 20% while supporting local, independent bookselling. Add books to your cart when adding tickets. Your receipt will contain a book voucher, which you will show to the bookseller on-site to pick up your book(s).
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