River Forest Reads: The Roaring Twenties On Film

This program is part of River Forest Reads, a shared reading experience for members of the community to read and discuss the same book. In honor of its 100th anniversary, F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is our River Forest Reads pick for 2025. Whether you're revisiting this American classic or coming to it for the first time, we encourage everyone to read the book together and attend a series of related programs. Copies of the book will be available for checkout starting September 8, and programming continues through October 19. 

Aside from The Great Gatsby, what else was going on in American culture during the 1920s? For one thing, the silent film era was at its peak — and the transition to talkies was right around the corner. 

Dr. Annette Bochenek, film scholar of Hollywood's Golden Age, returns to the Library to discuss the early film industry of the 1920s, some of its top stars, technological innovations, and influential films. This is a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories.

Brought to you in partnership with River Forest Township.