Renowned actress and author Illeana Douglas presents a screening of the 1948 comedy Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, starring Cary Grant, Myrna Loy and her grandfather Melvyn Douglas.

Following the film, Illeana will discuss her book “Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses to Dark Suburbia” and take questions from the audience.

A copy of the book is included with each ticket.

New York adman Jim Blandings is ready to say goodbye to his cramped city apartment and build from the ground up a Connecticut home with room enough for his growing family and dreams. All it will cost him is his time and money … and perhaps his job, marriage, happiness and what’s left of his sanity.

Goodbye, Manhattan. Hello, comedy. As Jim, Cary Grant is a flustered poster boy for homeowner anxiety in this gleeful laughfest. Myrna Loy, her voice and line phrasing like musical chimes, plays Jim’s ever-patient wife. Louise Beavers is the sunny housemaid whose enthusiasm for Wham Ham saves Jim’s career bacon. And Melvyn Douglas is the perhaps too friendly family friend. “Drop in and see us sometime,” Jim says. Invitation accepted!

Ileana Douglas