Break
PRESENTATION: Impact of current industries in the Florida of today.Lunch: Picnic lunch or lunch at hotel.Afternoon: PRESENTATION: Trace how humankind has affected Florida's current environment.Dinner: Dinner will be at the hotel.Evening: PERFORMANCE: View the film "The Sweet Smell of Success," which is one of three for the film noir series this week. "The Sweet Smell of Success," (1957) They know him - and they shiver - the big names of Broadway, Hollywood and Capitol Hill. They know J.J.- the world-famed columnist whose gossip is gospel to sixty million readers! They know the venom that flickers in those eyes behind the glasses - and they fawn - like Sid Falco, the kid who wanted "in" so much, he'd sell out his own girl to stand up there with J.J., sucking in the sweet smell of success! This is J.J.'s story - but not the way he would have liked it told! This is the story of J.J. - But not the way he wants it told! The almighty J.J. ...the columnist with sixty million believers ...his wrath is feared by the great and near great who worship the sweet smell of success!
The Motion Picture That Will Never Be Forgiven... Or Forgotten
PRESENTATION: Talkback with film expert immediately following film.Lodging: Holiday Inn-Lakewood RanchMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
PRESENTATION: Learn why the Noir style was a vehicle for filmmakers who attempted to convey the darkness in the heart of American society as it faced numerous unknowns, primarily, "the move to the big city," which is filled with gangsters, hoodlums, prostitutes and killers.Lunch: Lunch at Mixon's Fruit Farm which includes their famous orange swirl ice cream.Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Take a tram ride through the grove for a deeper understanding of the Florida Citrus Industry. After ride stroll through the garden area or maze. Opportunity to sample some Florida wines.Dinner: Dinner will be at the hotel in our private meeting room.Evening: View second film "Laura," in the film noir series. (1944) This adaptation of Vera Caspary's suspense novel was begun by director Rouben Mamoulien and cinematographer Lucien Ballard, but thanks to a complex series of backstage intrigues and hostilities, the film was ultimately credited to director Otto Preminger and cameraman Joseph LaShelle (who won an Oscar for his efforts). At the outset of the film, it is established that the title character, Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney), has been murdered. Tough New York detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) investigates the killing, methodically questioning the chief suspects: Waspish columnist Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb), wastrel socialite Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), and Carpenter's wealthy "patroness" Ann Treadwell (Judith Anderson). The deeper he gets into the case, the more fascinated he becomes by the enigmatic Laura, literally falling in love with the girl's painted portrait. As he sits in Laura's apartment, ruminating over the case and his own obsessions, the door opens, the lights switch on, and in walks Laura Hunt, very much alive! To tell any more would rob the reader of the sheer enjoyment of watching this stylish film noir unfold on screen.
Everything clicks in Laura, from the superbly bitchy performance of Clifton Webb (a veteran Broadway star who became an overnight movie favorite with this film) to the haunting musical score by David Raskin.Lodging: Holiday Inn-Lakewood RanchMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
PRESENTATION: Continue the fun with swing music by viewing film clips and listening to tunes.Lunch: Lunch at hotel in our private meeting room.Afternoon: PRESENTATION: Florida's living history.<> FIELD TRIP: Explore De Soto National Memorial where you will see historic armor, weapons and period artifacts along with a nature walk along the beach and trails.<> Nestled on the Manatee River, west of downtown, this park attracts history buffs by re-creating the look and atmosphere of the period when Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto landed here in 1539. It includes a restoration of de Soto's original campsite and a scenic 0.5-mile nature trail that circles a mangrove jungle and leads to the ruins of one of the first settlements in the area. Optional: 21-minute film about de Soto in America.Dinner: Dinner on your own tonight. An opportunity to experience local cuisine. Our bus will transport you to dinner in the Lakewood Ranch area.Evening: HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE: Game night!Lodging: Holiday Inn-Lakewood RanchMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
FIELD TRIP: Enjoy an expert led walk through the vineyard, where you will learn about the growing season, pruning, harvesting times, and the different varieties of Florida grapes grown here. Discover the art of wine making in their own winery. Including how grapes are crushed, pressed, fermented and bottled.Lunch: Luncheon at local winery featuring stromboli, Italian subs or vegetarian selection.Afternoon: Participate in a wine tasting with your souvenir wine glass, while sitting in the pavilion by the Conquistador grape vineyard. <>Free AfternoonDinner: Dinner will be in our private meeting room at the hotel.Evening: PERFORMANCE: Enjoy viewing "The Postman Always Rings Twice," for your last film of the week. It started as a 1934 crime novel by James M. Cain. The novel was quite successful and notorious upon publication, and is regarded as one of the more important crime novels of the 20th century. Fast-moving and brief (only about 100 pages long, depending on the edition), the novel's mix of sexuality and violence was startling in its time, and saw the book banned in Boston. It is also included in the Modern Library 100 Best Novels list. It has been adapted as a motion picture four times; the 1946 version is probably the best known, and is regarded as an important film noir. Lodging: Holiday Inn-Lakewood RanchMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner