Library Features Books Turned to Films

It's been another fun-filled week at the Syosset Public Library, with its Films From Classic Books Festival in full swing.

On Thursday, the free movie screening Of Mice and Men was shown, a film starring John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. It is the third movie adaptation of author John Steinbeck's 1937 novel of the same name. The film features the tragic story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression in California.

With most of the audience in the theater having read Steinbeck's novel, they were eager to view and critique the film.

"I read the book, which I loved, and I saw the original film. I wanted to see what this movie interpretation of the book was. It was pretty good," said Roberta Itzkowitz of Hicksville.

"I wanted to see how the movie turned out with Gary Sinise and John Malkovich starring in it," said Nathan Kantor of Syosset.

"I am very familiar with the book," said his wife Edith. "It's about life and conflict. It's a great story." The only drawback for the couple was the library didn't offer any free popcorn and soda.

Friday's feature screening will be 1969's The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, a film about a liberated school teacher at an all-girls school. Ignoring the dull topics, she teaches them about love, politics and art. The screenings take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For more information, call 516-921-7161 or visit www.syossetlibrary.org.