originally published: 03/29/2026
(LOVELADIES, NJ) — What role does film play in shaping a nation’s sense of humor? How have films like Some Like it Hot, Blazing Saddles and Bridesmaids left a lasting impression on American society?
Join filmmaker and film educator, Wilhelm Kuhn, on Friday, May 1, 2026 at the Long Beach Island Foundation of Arts & Science for the multimedia presentation, of Ten Films That Shaped American Comedy. Kuhn’s guided tour will take you behind the curtain to see how humor has been used to upend audience expectation, challenge societal norms, and even smuggle bold new ideas onto the American landscape. There is a reception at 7:00pm for a reception. The program begins at 7:30pm.
Using carefully curated clips, behind-the-scenes stories, and cultural analysis, Kuhn’s 90-minute program will spark lively discussions and foster renewed interest in these landmark films: The General (1926), The Great Dictator (1940), Some Like It Hot (1959), Dr Strange Love (1962), The Party (1968), Blazing Saddles (1974), Annie Hall (1977), Airplane (1981), Tropic Thunder (2008) Bridesmaids (2011).
Kuhn is an excellent companion for this cinematic journey, revealing how certain films have shifted public conversation, influenced art and politics, and reconfigured our national psyche—all while making us laugh.
“Film has always been about more than entertainment,” says Kuhn. “It holds up a mirror to our society, and it sometimes turns into a catalyst for change.”
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ADMISSION: $20, $15 for LIFS members —Tickets are available for purchase online. The Long Beach Island Foundation of Arts & Science is located at 120 Long Beach Blvd in Loveladies, New Jersey.
Executive Director of LIFF, Wilhelm (“Will”) Kuhn, is also a filmmaker and film educator whose work explores the intersections of cinema, society, and history. His presentations have been featured at cultural centers, film festivals, and institutions of higher learning.
The Lighthouse Film Society (LIFS) celebrates diverse voices and innovative storytelling by bringing films, filmmakers, and audiences together year-round for screenings and events on Long Beach Island, NJ.
Event sponsors include: WALLY’S LBI, LBI Foundation of Arts & Science, and Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
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