Bonnie Katz Film Series – Tootsie at the Ossining Public Library

Sydney Pollack’s Tootsie (1982) turns the gender swap comedy premise into social commentary. Dustin Hoffmann’s Michael Dorsey is only thinking of his own career when he disguises himself as a woman to audition for a part on a daytime soap opera, but when the showrunners and the viewing public accept him in the persona of Dorothy Michaels, he discovers that performing femininity is more than just a matter of clothing, makeup, and gesture. Locked into his adopted role by contractual obligations and the televised spotlight, the contradictions of his private life and public persona build up alongside his surprising reputation as a pop-feminist figure. Co-starring Jessica Lange, Bill Murray, Teri Garr, and Pollack himself, Tootsie was equally embraced by real-life audiences and turned out to be a smash hit both critically and commercially.

The Bonnie Katz Film Series is an annual event honoring our Ossining Public Library colleague Bonnie Katz (1952-2021). A librarian and passionate film buff, Bonnie had a positive spirit and outgoing personality, and was a respected member of our profession and the Ossining community. This year the series will consist of screenings of three classic movies from the Hollywood studio era to the 1980s, featuring some of Bonnie’s favorite actors and directors.