Lunch With Books: Wheeling Film Society, A Night at the Opera

January 28, 2014
12:00pm - 12:00pm

Jan. 24 - Towngate at 7: Screening: A Night at the Opera (Sam Wood, 1935) - 96 mins.

Jan. 28 - Library at Noon: Conversation: A Night at the Opera

The Marx Brothers made one of their greatest comedies – about immigration and employment and class-consciousness – during the depths of the Great Depression. In one of their most deliriously absurd set-pieces, Groucho and Chico gleefully deconstruct the legalese of performance contracts. Harpo gleefully deconstructs just about everything else, using a large mallet (and other blunt instruments). Kitty Carlisle and Alan Jones play the talented young singers kept apart by the towering ego of a small-minded tenor. Naturally, all of them are upstaged by Chico’s piano and Harpo’s, well, harp. Somehow, opera is both trashed and celebrated in the same film, while baseball is purely celebrated. A sparkling time of music and comedy will be had by all.

All programs – screenings and conversations – are free of admission charge.
Attend as many or as few programs as your schedule allows.
All are welcome, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parental Guidance is recommended for all screenings and conversations.


"Lunch With Books” is the library’s flagship program for adult patrons. Bring a bag lunch and enjoy presentations by authors, poets, historians, musicians and a variety of other people. Complimentary beverages are provided. These free programs usually start at noon on Tuesdays in the auditorium on the lower level of the library.

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Feedback from our guests:

“Lunch With Books is an outstanding program — one of the best in the country.” -NPR Journalist Matthew Algeo, The President is a Sick Man

“With a new book in hand, I’ve visited a lot of libraries lately, and I think the Ohio County Public Library is my all-time favorite.” -Jaimy Gordon, Lord of Misrule (National Book Award winner)

“We set a personal attendance record and personal best for the number of books sold!” -Peter Zeranski, Polish Classic Recipes

“I am completely smitten with the Lunch with Books patrons...It’s not always easy to read one’s fiction in public, but this library family provided a sea of welcoming faces filled with warmth, attentiveness, and good will. Their generous laughter and emotional investment helped me to bring my prose fully to life.” -Marie Manilla, Still Life with Plums and Shrapnel

“If I want the best and most attentive and responsive audience I know I will have it at Lunch With Books.” -Jim O'Brien, The Chief and Steeler Stuff 

“This is the best series of its kind that I've seen in all my travels in OH-WV-PA.” -Jim Joyce, The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom, & Wanderings 

“Lunch With Books is the best adult library program that I have seen in the state.” -Bob Barnett, Growing Up in the Last Small Town