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Description
Join the Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on Wednesay, March 26th, from 6 PM - 8 PM for in-person event at UNCA's Reuter Center for a joint History Hour program, Mrs. Francis Gudger: Or, The Movie Star Who Nearly Lived at the Smith-McDowell House, with Brandi Andrade, Ph.D. that includes a special screening of the 1935 musical film Dizzy Dames starring Marjorie Rambeau -- aka Mrs. Francis Gudger or, rather, the movie star who nearly lived at the Smith-McDowell House.
Keeping with OLLI's theme term, Women, Gender, and Social Change, Brandi Andrade will introduce attendees to American film and stage actor Marjorie Rambeau (1889 - 1970), illuminating what Rambeau's life and career reveal about the power and position of women in the Golden Age of Hollywood. While Marjorie was nationally renowned first as "the toast of Broadway" and then as a respected character actor in film -- twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, locally she was known as Mrs. Gudger, wife to Francis Gudger whose brother, Herman, owned and leased the Smith-McDowell House to Francis.
Following her talk, the evening continues with a special screening of the 1935 musical film Dizzy Dames starring Marjorie Rambeau. The program will conclude with a short Q&A session with Brandi Andrade after the film.
About the Speaker & Film:
Brandi Andrade holds a Ph.D. in Humanities from the University of Texas-Dallas, with specialties in American Women's History and Feminist Theatre Pedagogy. She has taught at the University of Texas-Arlington, in the Theatre Arts and Women's-Gender-and-Sexuality Studies departments, for twenty years. Now semi-retired, she teaches only her two favorite online courses from right here in Asheville: Women in Theatre History and Film Studies. When she's not at the Asheville Museum of History or in a coffee shop grading student essays, you might find her at Citizen Vinyl, where she runs the tour program and serves as a tour guide; or at one of the region's theatres, where she works as an actress and director. She's also currently serving on the board of Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville.
Dizzy Dames is a 1935 American musical film directed by William Nigh and written by George Waggner. The film stars Marjorie Rambeau, Florine McKinney, Lawrence Gray, Inez Courtney, Berton Churchill and Fuzzy Knight. Loosely based on the short story "The Watch Dog" by P. G. Wodehouse, published in Hampton's Magazine (July 1910), Dizzy Dames tells the story of Lillian Bennett (Marjorie Rambeau), who runs a theatrical boarding house in New York City. She doesn't want her débutante daughter Helen Bennett, reared in finishing schools away from New York, to know of her own glamorous stage career or her present occupation; however, on an unexpected visit, humor, romance, as well as singing and dancing ensue as Helen learns that the people Lillian introduces as her friends are really stage performers, who (of course) end up putting on a show.
Tickets:
$10 General Admission / FREE for OLLI & AMoH members. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able, please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise. Tickets are limited for in-person lectures, so don't miss your opportunity to secure a spot!
Location & Parking:
Reuter Center, home of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNCA -- 300 Campus View Rd, Asheville, NC 28804
Parking is free and available at the Reuter Center, BUT you must register your vehicle through UNCA's Visitor Parking webpage on the day of the event.
For questions about this event:
Email education@ashevillehistory.org or call AMoH at 828-253-9231
*This event is co-sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville*
Date & Time
Wed, Mar 26, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Venue Details
Reuter Center - UNCA/OLLI
300 Campus View RoadAsheville, North Carolina 28804
