RMWF Writers Series: Dave Karger • 50 Movie Nights: Contemporary Stars on Their Favorite Classic Films

This is a Premier Program. All residents of Rancho Mirage and donors who contribute $100 or more annually to the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory Foundation can take advantage of priority seating for Premier programs by arriving early.

Karger's new book is 50 Movie Nights: Contemporary Stars on Their Favorite Classic Films. Karger leads compelling and unexpected discussions with stars such as Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sterling K. Brown, Tom Ford, Carol Burnett, Anna Kendrick, Ava DuVernay, Don Cheadle and many more, on their top film recommendations of decades past, comprising a new essential list of must-see viewing for casual moviegoers and cinephiles alike. These fifty notables in the entertainment world get into insightful, funny and heartfelt discussions with the author on their favorite films of the twentieth century. The interviews illuminate not only why they love their choice and why they want you to see it, but also reveal a lot about themselves—how the film influenced their career or even changed their life. The classic and contemporary stars and films are all showcased with stunning photography throughout.

Dave Karger is a host on Turner Classic Movies. He has also made over 200 live appearances on NBC’s Today as an entertainment commentator. He began his career with a 17-year stint as a writer at Entertainment Weekly, He also served as the Academy’s official red-carpet greeter on Oscar night, only the third person ever to hold that post. In 2015, Karger was the recipient of the Publicists Guild’s Press Award, honoring the year’s outstanding entertainment journalist. He is the author of 50 Oscar Nights: Iconic Stars & Filmmakers on Their Career-Defining Wins. His new book is 50 Movie Nights: Contemporary Stars on Their Favorite Classic Films.

Karger will appear with Jess Cagle, an award-winning journalist whose career spans magazines, digital news, television, radio and podcasting. During his 30-year magazine career, he was editor in chief of People magazine and editor in chief of Entertainment Weekly. He also covered Hollywood for TIME; hosted the long-running The Jess Cagle Show on SiriusXM; co-hosted ABC’s Oscar red carpet pre-show; appeared as a critic and contributor to CBS; and played himself (badly!) on the TV series Nashville, Baby Daddy and Younger. He is a senior fellow at USC’s Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy.

The first 200 people at this event will receive a FREE copy of 50 Movie Nights.

Writers Series events are free to the public. This event will be livestreaming on our YouTube page.