The West Orange Classic Film Festival is back for its 19th season, offering an exciting lineup of vintage cinematic gems filled with mystery and intrigue.
WHEN: January 12 through March 2, 2025, Sunday except Super Bowl Sunday at 2:00 PM
WHERE: AMC DINE-IN Theater in
the Essex Green Town Center (495 Prospect Ave, West Orange, New Jersey).
TICKETS: $15/a screening
Advance purchase is required via Eventbrite.
Each screening features an introduction and a lively Q&A session by distinguished guest speakers, including screenwriters, producers, authors, film critics, and educators.
“This unique festival celebrates West Orange's
rich cinematic history, rooted in Thomas Edison’s pioneering contributions to
motion picture technology and the iconic Black Maria studio, and offers a rich
cinematic heritage for film lovers to celebrate," says Ken Mandel, the
Festival’s founder now enjoying Emeritus status.
For film enthusiasts, this is a rare opportunity to view classics as they were meant to be seen, on the big screen! Raffle tickets for film-related prizes are sold at each screening. At $15 per movie, audiences can enjoy an afternoon’s entertainment combined with a fun film class for the price of a single movie ticket!
This year’s 2025 West Orange Classic Film Festival line-up includes:
JANUARY 19:
CLUE (1985) with
film aficionado John Chasse. It’s not just a game anymore: it’s murder,
madness, mayhem, and mystery in a madcap comedy classic, with a who’s-who of
some of the ‘80s leading comic talents.
JANUARY
26: PURPLE NOON (1960) with film historian, filmmaker, artist, and educator Gerard Amsellem.
Legendary actor Alain Delon who passed away this summer takes the lead role in
the first film adaptation of the acclaimed novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley.
FEBRUARY
2: IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER (1993) with author and Irish studies educator Alan DeLozier. This
biographical crime drama from Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan delves into the true
story of the Guildford Four.
FEBRUARY
16: DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN (1985) with film producer Richard Baratta. An unconventional
mystery that could have only come from the offbeat ‘80s, with that decade's
reigning Queen of Pop, Madonna.
FEBRUARY
23: THE HOUSE OF DIES DREAR (1984) with screenwriter Richard Wesley. The festival is honored to
have screenwriter, Richard Wesley speak on his adaptation of Virginia
Hamilton’s lauded novel, about a family who move into the ghostly Ohio house of
an abolitionist who helped slaves escape.
MARCH 2: Abbott & Costello's WHO DONE IT (1942) with film historian, author, and comics/animation writer Paul Castiglia. The massively popular comic duo are at the height of their powers in this madcap mystery comedy!
