Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
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 will sit down alongside Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s daughter, Melissa Newman, 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.
This program is presented with support from Francis W. Parker School.
Donate now to support programs like this: chicagohumanities.org/donate
Explore upcoming events: chicagohumanities.org
Connect on Twitter: twitter.com/ChiHumanities
Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/chicagohumanities
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/chihumanities
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 will sit down alongside Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s daughter, Melissa Newman, 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.
This program is presented with support from Francis W. Parker School.
Donate now to support programs like this: chicagohumanities.org/donate
Explore upcoming events: chicagohumanities.org
Connect on Twitter: twitter.com/ChiHumanities
Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/chicagohumanities
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/chihumanities
