One of my favorite holidays is just around the corner. The Main has any number of books and films that may well inspire spontaneous moments of deep gratitude in our faithful patrons as we prepare to celebrate America's "second national holiday": THANKSGIVING!
BOOKS
America's Parade: A Celebration of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by Time/ Life, 2001
394.2649 Ame
An annual ritual not to be missed, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has entertained the masses since 1924. Read about this grand celebration's colorful history and impact on how Americans have come to look anxiously forward to it every year on Thanksgiving Day.
394.2649 Ame
An annual ritual not to be missed, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has entertained the masses since 1924. Read about this grand celebration's colorful history and impact on how Americans have come to look anxiously forward to it every year on Thanksgiving Day.
Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving Recipes and History from Pilgrims to Pumpkin Pie
by Kathleen Curtin, 2005
394.2649 Giv
Author Kathleen Curtin is the official food historian at the Plimoth Plantation (not a misspell--the "Plymouth" we're more accustomed to came later) in Massachusetts, and imbues this book with a delightful combination of culinary backstory and pragmatic recipes. Learn about the authentic feast the Puritans prepared (there were no utensils available, and there wasn't any cranberry sauce, either).
A Great and Godly Adventure: The Pilgrims and the Myth of the First Thanksgiving
by Godrey Hodgson, 2006
974.402 Hod
The dramatic tale of the English Puritans' search for religious freedom that led them to establishing Plimoth Colony is steeped in legend, fabrication, and misinterpretation. Historian Hodgson delivers a balanced, thoroughly-researched account of the Puritans' peregrinations, the cruel hardships they suffered upon landing on North American soil, and their ultimate end of founding what has long been considered "the" original settlement of Europeans in the United States (be aware there is also plenty of controversy regarding that statement as well...)
by Godrey Hodgson, 2006
974.402 Hod
The dramatic tale of the English Puritans' search for religious freedom that led them to establishing Plimoth Colony is steeped in legend, fabrication, and misinterpretation. Historian Hodgson delivers a balanced, thoroughly-researched account of the Puritans' peregrinations, the cruel hardships they suffered upon landing on North American soil, and their ultimate end of founding what has long been considered "the" original settlement of Europeans in the United States (be aware there is also plenty of controversy regarding that statement as well...)
How to Cook a Turkey: *And All the Other Trimmings by Fine Cooking Magazine, 2007
641.665 How
What would Thanksgiving be without the beautifully succulent, artistically-trussed Tom Turkey reposing on the dining room table? This volume explores how to serve up this patriotic poultry in a vast panorama of forms, and promises to offer something new and original for even the most seasoned turkey chef.
What would Thanksgiving be without the beautifully succulent, artistically-trussed Tom Turkey reposing on the dining room table? This volume explores how to serve up this patriotic poultry in a vast panorama of forms, and promises to offer something new and original for even the most seasoned turkey chef.
The Thanksgiving Book: An Illustrated Treasury of Lore, Tales, Poems, Prayers, and the Best in Holiday Feasting by Jerome Agel and Jason Shulman, 1987
394.2649 Tha
394.2649 Tha
This compendium of delightful prose features every aspect of what this holiday is really about: remembering in gratitude all the good things life has to offer. The thankful and thought-inspiring pieces in this volume serve up something every reader can find meaningful.
Thanksgiving Entertaining by Chuck Williams, 2005
641.568 Pap
Published by Williams-Sonoma, this book guarantees exquisite gastronomic concepts for anyone's Thanksgiving get-together. Hors d'oeuvres, entrees, and desserts are presented with accompanying tasteful, full-color photos--a fantastic resource for hosts who might want to bring something nouveau to the holiday table.
FILMS
Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower, A & E Home Video, 2006
DVD 974.402 Des
Over two hours of documentary, replete with actors playing the Pilgrims from the Shakespeare Repetory Theatre in Great Britain as well as actual Native American descendants of the tribes the Pilgrims originally encountered (thus making this, more accurately, a docu-drama), this DVD vividly brings to life the struggle of the early colonists as they began life in Plymoth Plantation.
Over two hours of documentary, replete with actors playing the Pilgrims from the Shakespeare Repetory Theatre in Great Britain as well as actual Native American descendants of the tribes the Pilgrims originally encountered (thus making this, more accurately, a docu-drama), this DVD vividly brings to life the struggle of the early colonists as they began life in Plymoth Plantation.
Hannah and Her Sisters, MGM, 1986
VHS Han
Woody Allen's films are cornerstones of cinematic history, and many believe Hannah and Her Sisters is his crowning achievement. Mia Farrow stars as the title character, who provides emotional strength and stability not only to her own family (husband Elliott is played by Michael Caine), but also to her siblings, Lee (Barbara Hershey) and Holly (Dianne Wiest). Tenderly investigating the ties that bind and the ramifications of family bonds placed under stress, this Thanksgiving-centered jewel is well worth watching.
Home For the Holidays, PolyGram Entertainment, 1995
DVD Hom
This comedic project was directed by Hollywood living legend Jodie Foster. Holly Hunter stars as Claudia Larson, a single mother of teenage Claire Danes, who treks from Chicago to Baltimore to join her obstreporous clan for Thanksgiving. Charles Durning and the late, great Anne Bancroft co-star as her parents; Robert Downey, Jr., memorably plays her trickster brother. While hardly an original plotline, this tale of family feuds, fidelity, fractiousness, and forgiveness will resonate with all of us who've endured a trying holiday visit with the relations.
Home for the Holidays: The History of Thanksgiving A & E Home Video, 1997
VHS 394.2649 Hom
I am a big fan of the History Channel's documentaries of various holidays, and Home for the Holidays is one of my favorites. Until watching it, I did not know that there had been a significant controversy in 1940 when Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the American president at the time, unilaterally decided to move Thanksgiving forward a week (from the final Thursday in November to the penultimate Thursday). His idea was to prolong the holiday shopping season in face of a depressed economy (sound familiar...?) At that time, it was unthinkable to begin advertising for Christmas bargains until after Turkey Day. [ASIDE--would that this were still the case today. I cringe when witnessing stores decking out fake snow and holly around Labor Day...] The following year, Congress undertook fixing the date of Thanksgiving as we mark it today. These and many other historical tasties are yours for the reaping upon viewing this treat!
House of Yes, Miramax, 1997
DVD Hou
Parker Posey stars as a clinically insane woman who believes she's Jacqueline Kennedy. Her twin brother, Marty (played by Josh Hamilton), brings his fiancee (Leslie--Tori Spelling) home to meet his freakish clan for Thanksgiving. Genvieve Bujold plays the matriarch and younger brother Anthony is portrayed by Freddie Prinze, Jr. This film won major awards at the Sundance Film Festival upon its release; based on a play, the script is rife with deranged cleverness and black-as-coal humor.
Pieces of April, MGM, 2003
DVD NORTHWEST BRANCH ONLY**
Katie Holmes (pre-Tom Cruise) stars as April Burns, a fiercely indpendent girl-about-town whose home base is Manhattan. In a burst of familial goodwill she invites her family to her tiny apartment to celebrate Thanksgiving. Parents (played brilliantly, in particular, by Patricia Clarkson as her mother) and siblings, dimly anticipating April's cookery talents, make their way to the Big Apple. And then April's stove decides to give up the ghost. Peppered with acerbic wit as well as poignant moments, it's diverting and distressing in equal measure.
** The Main does not actually have this title on our shelves, but a hold may be placed on either our Northwest Branch's copy or another library's copy. The Reading Eagle ran an article in Saturday's (November 15) edition--on the FRONT PAGE--delineating the scourge of pilfering from which Berks County's public libraries are suffering. With a sad twist of irony, Pieces of April WAS--once upon a time--a DVD which the Main had had in its own collection. Accessioned [ibrary parlance that simply means "added"] on January 22, 2005, it stayed with us until transferred to "Lost" status on June 6, 2007. This is what happens to a library holding when it is legitimately checked out to someone who simply fails to return it. Our copy had 71 circulations before it vanished from our records.
+R.I.P.
This comedic project was directed by Hollywood living legend Jodie Foster. Holly Hunter stars as Claudia Larson, a single mother of teenage Claire Danes, who treks from Chicago to Baltimore to join her obstreporous clan for Thanksgiving. Charles Durning and the late, great Anne Bancroft co-star as her parents; Robert Downey, Jr., memorably plays her trickster brother. While hardly an original plotline, this tale of family feuds, fidelity, fractiousness, and forgiveness will resonate with all of us who've endured a trying holiday visit with the relations.
Home for the Holidays: The History of Thanksgiving A & E Home Video, 1997
VHS 394.2649 Hom
I am a big fan of the History Channel's documentaries of various holidays, and Home for the Holidays is one of my favorites. Until watching it, I did not know that there had been a significant controversy in 1940 when Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the American president at the time, unilaterally decided to move Thanksgiving forward a week (from the final Thursday in November to the penultimate Thursday). His idea was to prolong the holiday shopping season in face of a depressed economy (sound familiar...?) At that time, it was unthinkable to begin advertising for Christmas bargains until after Turkey Day. [ASIDE--would that this were still the case today. I cringe when witnessing stores decking out fake snow and holly around Labor Day...] The following year, Congress undertook fixing the date of Thanksgiving as we mark it today. These and many other historical tasties are yours for the reaping upon viewing this treat!
House of Yes, Miramax, 1997
DVD Hou
Parker Posey stars as a clinically insane woman who believes she's Jacqueline Kennedy. Her twin brother, Marty (played by Josh Hamilton), brings his fiancee (Leslie--Tori Spelling) home to meet his freakish clan for Thanksgiving. Genvieve Bujold plays the matriarch and younger brother Anthony is portrayed by Freddie Prinze, Jr. This film won major awards at the Sundance Film Festival upon its release; based on a play, the script is rife with deranged cleverness and black-as-coal humor.
Pieces of April, MGM, 2003
DVD NORTHWEST BRANCH ONLY**
Katie Holmes (pre-Tom Cruise) stars as April Burns, a fiercely indpendent girl-about-town whose home base is Manhattan. In a burst of familial goodwill she invites her family to her tiny apartment to celebrate Thanksgiving. Parents (played brilliantly, in particular, by Patricia Clarkson as her mother) and siblings, dimly anticipating April's cookery talents, make their way to the Big Apple. And then April's stove decides to give up the ghost. Peppered with acerbic wit as well as poignant moments, it's diverting and distressing in equal measure.
** The Main does not actually have this title on our shelves, but a hold may be placed on either our Northwest Branch's copy or another library's copy. The Reading Eagle ran an article in Saturday's (November 15) edition--on the FRONT PAGE--delineating the scourge of pilfering from which Berks County's public libraries are suffering. With a sad twist of irony, Pieces of April WAS--once upon a time--a DVD which the Main had had in its own collection. Accessioned [ibrary parlance that simply means "added"] on January 22, 2005, it stayed with us until transferred to "Lost" status on June 6, 2007. This is what happens to a library holding when it is legitimately checked out to someone who simply fails to return it. Our copy had 71 circulations before it vanished from our records.
+R.I.P.
2 comments:
W-O-W. I seriously had no idea there were this many flix with T-giving as the theme! Props to Nathanel for letting us know about them!
What kind of "props" would you give to Nathaniel exactly? A pipe, a cane, perhaps a book to hold. I recently heard of a man who donated his skull to a Shakespearian troop when he died. Yes, they used it as a prop... Much to the dead body's chagrin, the troop discontinued its use when the public learned of the shenanigan and the skull began to upstage the actors. How sad.
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