Almost every field of human endeavor has a favorite year – a calendar date that pulsates with meaning. Indeed, certain years bring to mind a lesson, a warning, or a hallowed memory. For example:

• 49 BCE : The year Caesar crossed the Rubicon, has ever since connoted burning one's bridges.
• 1492 : The year Columbus sailed the ocean blue, connotes the spirit of adventure.
• 1776 : The year of America's birth. We still use the slogan “The Spirit of '76.”
• 984 : Orwell's prophetic year of Big Brother, Doublespeak and Authoritarianism.

In terms of cinema, that year is, unquestionably, 1939. For that year, Hollywood could literally do no wrong. In 1939, Hollywood studios produced more truly great films than at any other time in its nearly 90-year history. Consider that the nine nominees for best picture were Gone With the Wind, Ninotchka, Dark Victory, Goodbye M., Chips, Love Affair, Of Mice and Men, Stagecoach, Wuthering Heights and The Wizard of Oz.

These six stand-alone lectures take a look behind the scenes at the making of six of Hollywood's truly immortal masterpieces – all made in 1939. Note: Each lecture will require use of a VCR or DVD Player and projected screen.

Lectures (Six):

1. Ninotchka: Carrying the tagline “Garbo Laughs!” this film garnered four Academy nominations including Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Screenplay.

2. Wuthering Heights: Nominated for eight Academy Awards, many consider this to be the most romantic picture of all time.

3. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: With an astounding 11 nominations to its credit, Mr. Smith is considered the “most American” movie ever produced.

4. Stagecoach: The movie that proved that John Ford was a genius, and that John Wayne was an actor.

5. The Wizard of Oz: This film, perhaps Hollywood's most beloved, was plagued with seemingly insurmountable difficulties even before the cameras rolled.

6. Gone With the Wind: Nominated for an incredible 15 awards (and a winner of ten), this epic is known as “The Film that Changed Hollywood Forever.”