Classic Film & Author Talk with Illeana Douglas: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

Bedford Playhouse is thrilled to welcome actress, author, and film historian Illeana Douglas for a special afternoon of classic cinema and conversation on Sunday, April 27th at 1pm. The event features a screening of the 1948 screwball comedy Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, followed by an engaging author talk and audience Q&A with Douglas.

This beloved film stars Cary Grant and Myrna Loy as a couple who flee their cramped New York apartment in search of suburban bliss in Connecticut, only to find themselves entangled in a hilariously chaotic spiral of renovations, runaway costs, and mounting existential dread. Rounding out the cast is Melvyn Douglas—Illeana’s grandfather—as the couple’s charming and meddlesome friend, and Louise Beavers as the housemaid with a memorable love for Wham Ham.

After the screening, Illeana Douglas will discuss her new book, Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses to Dark Suburbia, which explores the fascinating ways the Nutmeg State has been portrayed on screen—from postwar optimism to modern mystery. Drawing from her deep Hollywood roots and passion for film history, Douglas offers a unique perspective on the cultural significance of Connecticut as a cinematic backdrop. 

Each ticket includes a copy of her book, which will be available for signing after the talk.

Illeana Douglas is best known for her roles in films such as Goodfellas, Cape Fear, and To Die For, as well as her work as a producer, film historian, and writer. She is widely respected for her encyclopedic knowledge of classic cinema and her personal connection to Hollywood’s golden age.

Whether you’re a classic film lover, a suburban dreamer, or just in the mood for an afternoon of laughs and nostalgia, this is an event not to miss.

Tickets are available at: https://bedfordplayhouse.org/movies/mr-blandings-builds-his-dream-house/ or give us a call at (914) 234-6704.