An appreciation of film is all it takes to join this group. The 2025-26 season is our 27th year of celebrating the medium!
Our group meets at 7 pm, usually on the first Tuesday of each month from September through May, except December. We view the selected film on our own and then come together to discuss it. Typically about a dozen people attend. We gather on Zoom; the link is on our calendar: fpcpaloalto.org/calendar-of-events
We talk about character transformation, cinematic values, etc, plus our perspectives on the faith and ethical issues raised by the films. Our discussions are rich with multiple views and observations, as well as lots of laughs and caring, all enriching our relationships. We close with prayers of the people. New members are always welcome!
Here is our 2025-26 schedule, chosen through our election process in the spring.
| Sept 2 | Perfect Days |
| Oct 7 | Meet John Doe |
| Nov 4 | Conclave |
| Jan 6 | Contact |
| Feb 10 | Will and Harper (NOTE: Date changed) |
| Mar 3 | Inherit the Wind |
| April 7 | Penguin Lessons |
| May 5 | The Children’s Train |
Inherit the Wind (1960)
Director: Stanley Kramer, based on a play of the same name by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee.
Stars: Spencer Tracy, Fredric March and Gene Kelly
Screenplay by Nedrick Young and Harold Jacob Smith. Kramer was commended for bringing in Young, as the latter was blacklisted and forced to use the pseudonym Nathan E. Douglas.
Availability: Various streaming services and public libraries.
Inherit the Wind is a parable that fictionalizes the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial as a means to discuss McCarthyism. Written in response to the chilling effect of the McCarthy era investigations on intellectual discourse, the film (like the play) is critical of creationism.