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Today I thought I would start out by asking what our discussion leader John Tindell asked at last Wednesday’s Wyoming County Reads event at the Tunkhannock Public Library. What have you thought about movie versions of books you have read? Did they live up to your expectations? Or were you disappointed?
At the discussion, the group agreed that, for the most part, movie adaptations didn’t meet our expectations. What do you think? And, can you think of a few exceptions? The Wyoming County Reads group came up with just a couple including “Shawshank Redemption” and “Stand By Me.”
John Tindell then pointed out both of those books were short, making it easier for the screenwriter and director to capture each book in the standard movie run time of two to three hours. This is much harder to do with longer books. Plus, he asked us to think of books and movies as two completely different art forms. In books, the author uses narrative to tell the story. In movies, the director uses pictures to tell the tale. He also asked us to remember a movie is an adaptation, so the director and screenwriter may add twists in the telling of the story.
After that part of the discussion, we set our focus on how the movie “Catch-22” compared to the book. And, boy, they are very different. “Catch-22” the novel was written by Joseph Heller and was published eight years after he started writing it. And he was originally writing it to be published in serial installments for a periodical.
The movie was only the third movie directed by Mike Nichols. His first two movies, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?” and “The Graduate,” were both acclaimed. He decided to tell “Catch 22” in fevered flashbacks, had to cut a number of Heller’s characters and focused on the relationship of the characters Yossarian, the conscientious objector and Milo, the capitalist. We learned how Nichols used unbalanced film shots to show when Yossarian was in emotional turmoil during the movie and how he used lighting to show Milo’s transformation.
It was truly a fascinating discussion.
Yesterday, we wrapped up Wyoming County Reads with the showing of “Catch-22” on the big screen at the Dietrich. We would like to thank the Wyoming County Commissioners for sponsoring the program, the Tunkhannock Public Library for hosting the discussions and providing books for participants to borrow, Bill Chapla for facilitating the majority of our discussions and our guest discussion leaders.
For those who missed “Catch-22,” the theater is presenting additional free events this month. If you are a nature lover, naturalist Rick Koval will be back with another interesting and entertaining program at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, entitled “Camouflage and Mimicry: What You See Isn’t What You See.” During this talk, during which he will illustrate with a PowerPoint presentation of his photography, he will share the adaptations animals use to avoid detection.
This program is appropriate for all ages and admission is free. We would like to thank the Overlook Estate Foundation for underwriting it.
Jay Steveskey will be back for a classical guitar concert, “From Bach to Brazil” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 22. During this afternoon of music, Jay will feature the music of composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Heitor Villa-Lobos.
I always look forward to Jay’s concerts. He is wonderful musician. The concert is free and is sponsored by John P. Keker in memory of Jessie Reppy Keker. The event will be followed by a light reception. Tickets to either of these programs can be reserved by calling 570-996-1500 and will be available at the door while they last.
As you can see, the Dietrich is so much more than the movies!