The end of an era

in South Loop film-showing

12/12/2010 1:51 AM

By Bonnie McGrath

Shadow of a Doubt, 1942

I was really sorry to hear that Stephen Reginald, who writes the blog South Loop Connection, has no more "Meet me at the Movies" nights scheduled for next year. Steve's knowledge of film--and his ability to pick great old films, get them on the screen at Columbia's Sherwood Community Music School and then to provide scintillating education and entertainment about the films and their stars was a real neighborhood treat sponsored by the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance for the last year or two. Most of the movies included dinner afterwards for a great price at a great neighborhood place.

Ironically, Steve spoke to my First Year Seminar class at Columbia on Thursday just an hour or so before he ventured over to Sherwood for his final showing of 2010--which was "The Bishop's Wife." His topic for my class was how Frankenstein films have distorted the original Mary Shelley novel, published in 1818--since the first silent film in 1910.

I have gone to a number of Steve's film nights and enjoyed them; and when I couldn't make it, I ordered the films so I wouldn't miss out. So far, I have "Houseboat," "My Man Godfrey," "Laura," and "Shadow of a Doubt." "The Bishop's Wife" is on its way. And I have fond memories of seeing "Miracle on 34th Street," "Rear Window," "Letter to Three Wives" and "Annie Get Your Gun" at Sherwood, with Steve at the controls.

Hopefully there will be a groundswell of disappointment--and subsequent energy--to get Steve back as our neighborhood film factotum. What organization wants to sponsor--and convince Steve to continue to provide--another go round of great film-showing in the South Loop?

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By Donna from Englewood
Posted: 01/08/2011 10:36 AM

Now that the holidays are over I was wondering if the PDNA had any plans to offer some public kudos to Stephen Reginald for hosting those wonderful \"Meet me at the Movies\" nights? Although I had only recently discovered this wonderful event since then I have enjoyed getting to know Stephen and discovering his passion for old films. Volunteers of any kind are not plentiful! So, I say to you PDNA when\'s the thank you party? Please feel free to contact me if I can assist in getting this going!

By Cathy from River North
Posted: 01/03/2011 11:55 AM

I am sorry to hear about Steve not continuing with "Meet Me at the Movies." I do not live in the neighborhood, but it was a great introduction to the South Loop. It was also a wonderful opportunity for me to meet many who reside in the Prairie District. I will miss attending this event and learning the many 'little known' facts that Steve shared about the movies, expecially those films that were made here in Chicago. I know there are many that miss MMATM already. Thank you for all your work!

By Stephen Reginald from South Loop
Posted: 12/27/2010 8:51 PM

Jackie Walker asked me to host MMATM. I picked the films, wrote the intros, and secured giveaways. I was responsible for 99% of the event, a fact Jackie would not deny. I shaped MMATM for 17 months. If it was a success, perhaps I had something to do with it. I was acknowledged by the PDNA only when this post appeared. This is how they treat their volunteers? By not acknowledging them until they are "asked" to and then taking all of the credit? What does this say about the PDNA and their ilk?

By GWEN from SOUTH LOOP
Posted: 12/27/2010 8:47 PM

I can't believe Steve is no longer hosting Meet me at the Movies. It's because of Steve that Meet me at the Movies was so enjoyable and successful. Steve, where ever you go, I will follow.

By Good Job PDNA from Near South
Posted: 12/27/2010 0:45 AM

According to my source, MMATM will continue and thrive. Kudos to my fellow Glessner friend pdna rep Jackie Walker-Dunsecomb, who I hear originally inaugurated the program with folks at Columbia and Sherwood Conservatory, with all reporting the program success for all. Great vision and what the community wants.

By Donna from Englewood
Posted: 12/26/2010 11:30 AM

I only just discovered Meet me at the Movies so I was sad to hear that he was leaving. I enjoyed seeing The Bishops Wife and hearing the wonderful extra information about the movie that Steve provided, it made the experience more enjoyable! I'm sure it's a lot of work to put it together, and I understand Steve needing a break, my question is what can I, we do to help him continue to share his trove of knowledge and keep MMATM going?

By Elizabeth from south loop
Posted: 12/24/2010 10:32 AM

The movie nights were all about Steve, not the PDNA. If you attended the event, say something nice about Steve\'s work for the past 17 months...the PDNA just sent out e-mails and collected the money!

By Ruby Childs from Bronzeville
Posted: 12/23/2010 12:05 PM

Steve is a great person his love of movies are outstanding.My sister and I met Steve back in August and we think and still think he is the greatest person for The Meet ME AT THE MOVIES. We are sad about his leaving. Steve ia a phenomenal person and has a phenomenal menory of films, he need no scripts for his work. We hope he will return because he a phenomenal man. Steve, please return to Meet Me At The Movies.

By Claire
Posted: 12/23/2010 8:17 AM

Even though I'm a North Sider, Steve's Meet Me at the Movies was such fun that I didn't mind the long El ride home at the end of the night. He has such great knowledge about and passion for classic movies. I'll miss this event!

By Andrea from Chicago- South Loop
Posted: 12/22/2010 10:40 PM

I can't believe that Stephen is leaving!!! He needs to come back... that is the best part about the night. I really enjoy watching the old movies, but even more than that, the knowledge Stephen brings makes it even better! please come back Stephen!

By Dobrila from South Loop
Posted: 12/22/2010 10:38 PM

I can't believe what I am reading!! Stephen is leaving?? He is what makes the film night so special and interested!!!! COME BACK!!! I attended nearly every showing and it was mainly because of Stephen's educational speeches about the movies!! I will greatly miss him, and I hope so he will come back, soon, now, we need him, now!

By Sue Baugh from Evanston, IL
Posted: 12/22/2010 6:20 PM

When I heard that Steve Reginald was leaving PDNA, I thought, "They are fools to let him go. He has the energy and drawing power to help create a real community event." To me, there is no movie night without Steve Reginald. He provided the context and the arcane details that made his introduction to a film as entertaining and enjoyable as the film itself. After his talk, we felt like movie insiders attending a private screening of the film. PDNA--get him back!

By Amanda from South Loop
Posted: 12/22/2010 10:57 AM

Stephen will definitely be missed. I came to the movies not because I was interested in the movies themselves but because I wanted to hear what Stephen had to say and because I loved meeting the other people who came. Stephen did so much to make MMATM more than just seeing a movie. He in irreplacable!

By Dan and Susan from S Loop
Posted: 12/21/2010 4:15 PM

I love what the PDNA is doing on this...If it is anything like the program they have been doing, or other events they do, I am sure they will come up with something even better to improve it. We went to the Children's Christmas event at the Wheeler Mansion, what an awesome idea. Something the kids and parents really enjoyed and will remember. The kids hand castings was a fun touch. You guys rock.

By Lance from South Loop
Posted: 12/15/2010 9:10 PM

Our family made this a regular monthly meetup and we really enjoyed Steve's presentations and interesting facts. Sorry PDNA, but there is only one Steve. I'm sure you know that he made the event special. Let's hope you can convince him to return after some time off.

By Elizabeth from Prairie District
Posted: 12/15/2010 7:30 PM

I was sad to hear that Steve will no longer be hosting Meet Me at the Movies. It was such a great event for many reasons, Steve is so knowledgeable about the movies that were shown and he always made me feel welcome, it was a wonderful way to meet people and it was an inexpensive night out. Steve will be missed.

By Cary from Lakeview
Posted: 12/15/2010 4:12 PM

I'm so disappointed to hear that Steve will no longer be hosting Meet Me at the Movies. This was such a great event, and a wonderful way to get out and do something fun and different in Chicago. And Steve's interesting facts and movie trivia made the movies all that much more interesting! I still have a lot left to learn about classic films, so I hope the Classic Movie Man makes a comeback in the near future!

By Nancy Johnson from West Ridge
Posted: 12/14/2010 4:36 PM

Even though we live far north of Prairie District, my husband and I started going to Stephen's film nights from the beginning, Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest." We've gone as often as possible, and always enjoy Steve's information about the films, the actors, and directors. I do hope he will be sharing films with us again once he recovers from the work he has done so far!

By PDNA Board of Directors from South Loop
Posted: 12/13/2010 2:52 PM

Bonnie, Thank you for the wonderful article regarding the PDNA "Meet Me at the Movies." We want to thank Steve Reginald for all of his talent and dedication to the project. We are sad that he has decided to leave the movie night. Rest assured, the PDNA will be announcing more information in January about our upcoming season of movies as well as new exciting details for this wonderful community event!

By Stephen Reginald from South Loop
Posted: 12/13/2010 1:59 PM

Dear Brandi, thanks for the nice comments. I enjoyed the last 17 months, but it's a lot of work and I needed a break. Maybe I'll start something else in the future. You can keep track of me at http://southloopconnection.blogspot.com/ and http://classicmovieman.blogspot.com/.

By Stephen Reginald from South Loop
Posted: 12/12/2010 3:05 PM

Dear Bonnie, Thank you for the nice tribute. It has been a great joy introducing the South Loop and Chicago to some great classic films. For the past 17 months, I have made some wonderful new friends. I so appreciate folks coming out month after month to listen to my introductions and to watch some of the greatest classics of American cinema. Till we meet again. Sincerely, Stephen Reginald Classic Movie Man

By Brandi from South loop
Posted: 12/12/2010 2:50 PM

Having not been in the neighborhood long, I only recenlty discovered this event. I went with a group of friends and had a blast. I love the information that Steve provided and the neighborhood feel of the event. I'll be sad if it disappears!