Hooray for Hollywood: A History of Film Musicals
Join Tim Hedgepeth for a captivating journey through the dazzling world of film musicals in this entertaining lecture. From the early days of Hollywood to the modern classics, Tim brings the history of song, dance, and cinema to life with his trademark wit and passion. Discover the groundbreaking moments, iconic stars, and unforgettable tunes that made musicals a cornerstone of Hollywood’s golden age. Packed with fascinating insights and fun anecdotes, this lecture is a celebration of the genre’s lasting impact and its magical ability to entertain, inspire, and move audiences through the power of music and film.
Curtain Talks & Cocktails are an exclusive benefit for Tobin Center Members and Frost Signature Series Subscribers, provided to you free of charge. The series is also open to the public for $10 per session or $35 for all four. Each lecture is a standalone presentation, so join us for one or all!
Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!
Monday, July 14, 2025 at 7PM
In 1927, Warner Brothers Studios premiered The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson, and introduced synchronized sound to the screen. Silent pictures disappeared almost overnight. With the advent of the “talkies,” Hollywood scrambled to adapt, eager to capitalize on this new technology. Studios promised audiences “All talking! All singing! All dancing!” entertainments, and moviegoers flocked to theaters in record numbers.
The Gang’s All Here
Monday, September 8, 2025 at 7PM
Just as Shirley Temple, Astaire and Rogers, and throngs of tap-dancing gold diggers provided much-needed escapism for audiences during the dark days of the Great Depression, the Hollywood dream factories delivered similar optimism during World War II and beyond, when movie musicals became more lavish and sophisticated.
The Great Roadshows
Monday, March 2, 2026 at 7PM
With the arrival of television in the 1950s, movie attendance dropped dramatically, prompting producers to scramble for ways to lure audiences back into the theaters. The solution: bigger, better, splashier, widescreen extravaganzas.
A New Beginning
Monday, May 18, 2026 at 7PM
By the late 1960s, Hollywood’s traditional studio system was breaking down, giving way to a new wave of filmmakers who were eager toriment with fresh styles, narratives, and visuals. Audiences raced to see films like Easy Rider, Bonnie and Clyde, and The Graduate which reflected the counterculture movements of the time.
