A Literary Road to Cinematic Glory

The Eastern Monroe Public Library (EMPL)* presented the film entitled, “Glory” (1989) with Matthew Broderick and Morgan Freeman on Friday July 31st as part of their “From Read to Reel” Series which is part of their 2009 Adult Summer Reading Program which encourages participants to read a novel and watch the film from which it is based upon. The screening took place in the Hughes Library which is the EMPL* Main Branch in Stroudsburg, PA.

“Glory” is based upon the books entitled, “Lay This Laurel” written by Lincoln Kirstein and “One Gallant Rush” written by Peter Burchard. The film takes place during the US Civil War of the 1860’s depicting the formation and endeavors of the 54th Regiment which was an all Black unit comprising of Northern Freemen and escaped slaves. The Film won the 1990 Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for Denzel Washington, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound Mixing. It was also nominated for Best Art Direction and Best Film Editing.

The Film was introduced by Sue Young of The Pocono Township Branch of the EMPL* located in Tannersville, PA along with the announcement of the winning recipient of a pop corn container filled with desirable books to read. She also provided some trivial relating to the film after its conclusion while thanking everyone for attending and encouraging participation in the next event in the series.

Those wishing to do so can register online, log in the books that they read this summer, and for every three book logged, a chance to win a prize will be given. The next films to be shown in the “From Read to Reel” Series will be “The Joy Luck Club” on Thursday August 13th at The Pocono Township Branch of the EMPL* located in Tannersville, PA at 2:30pm and The Mambo Kings” on Sunday August 16th at 2pm in the Hughes Library (Main) Branch of the EMPL* in Stroudsburg, PA. Please contact The Eastern Monroe Public Library (EMPL)* at 570-421-0800 for more information.

Here are links and contact information to those I mentioned in this article for you to explore. The Eastern Monroe Public Library (EMPL)* www.monroepl.org.

You’ll find more photographs in The Forwardian Arts Society Film/Video 2009 Gallery. www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.