American literature has proven an endlessly renewable resource for filmmakers, its originality and vitality inspiring whole catalogues of memorable movies. Now Library of America, the acclaimed nonprofit publisher of the nation’s greatest writing, presents THE MOVIEGOER, a biweekly column in which curator Michael Sragow (Film Comment) and other leading writers and critics offer fresh, penetrating examinations of the best of these films, gems that readers will want to revisit or watch for the first time.  The new feature launches January 27, 2016 at www.loa.org/moviegoer.

 Standing at the intersection of classic American writing and classic filmmaking, THE MOVIEGOER offers not reviews but full scale reevaluations that explore the creative alchemy involved in translating a masterwork from page (or stage) to screen. It takes its inspiration, and its catholic compass, from the hero of Walker Percy’s famous novel, and, in the words of curator Sragow, “aims to generate new enthusiasm for cinema as well as for literature.”

 Now in its fourth decade, Library of America is a nonprofit organization that champions the nation’s cultural heritage by publishing America’s greatest writing in authoritative new editions and providing resources for readers to explore this rich, living legacy.

 MICHAEL SRAGOW, curator, is the West Coast editor and film critic for Film Comment. He is the author of Victor Fleming: An American Movie Master and the editor of the two-volume Library of America James Agee edition. (Photo: Baltimore Sun). Here is the schedule of upcoming programs:

 1/27 • Michael Sragow on

The Last of the Mohicans

2/10 • Carrie Rickey on

The Age of Innocence

2/24 • Michael Sragow on

The Maltese Falcon

3/9 • Terrence Rafferty on

The Innocents

3/23 • Farran Smith Nehme on

Little Women

4/6 • Michael Sragow on

Billy Budd

4/20 • Harold Schechter on

True Crime in American cinema

5/4 • David Denby on

The Heiress

5/18 • Charles McGrath on

The Thin Man

6/1 • Michael Sragow on

Member of the Wedding

6/15 • Megan Abbott on

Laura

6/29 • Wendy Lesser on

Purple Noon

 

Visit www.loa.org for a free subscription.