In the era of Netflix and Hulu, the Classic Cinema Club offers a journey back in time for University students interested in travelling to a galaxy far, far away or experience first-hand the ruthlessness of a New York crime family.
“Casablanca,” “Pyscho,” “The Godfather,” “Star Wars,” “Apocalypse Now” and “Pulp Fiction.”
These iconic movies are all coming to a club at LSU.
The Classic Cinema Club is new to the University this semester. The organization’s purpose is to foster an appreciation of American cinema by watching classic movies. The Classic Cinema Club watches movies from all eras in American cinema, from Golden Age classics to the modern-day hallmarks. Through the viewing experience, club members understand and discuss the cultural impact of American films.
“We are going to be screening classic movies,” said Classic Cinema Club president and chemical engineering junior Joseph Balhoff. “We’re defining a classic movie as something that has a significant cultural impact on American audiences in one way, shape or form.”
The Classic Cinema Club plans to screen these iconic films for free to all members of the club and any individual interested in joining. The club received funding from LSU Student Government and became an official University student organization this semester. Balhoff and other club leaders plan to use the funding to set up the club’s structure and keep the experience free for all members.
The club is negotiating with residential halls on campus to find a location for the monthly meetings. West and LaVille halls are among the potential locations for the first Classic Cinema Club meetings.
“We are thinking about moving around to various residential colleges, trying to make it more convenient for students,” Balhoff said. “We want something that is easily enjoyable by everybody. Every meeting will be the screening of a movie and probably pizza. We might end up discussing the movie after if people want to do that.”
The Classic Cinema Club emphasizes the evolution of American movies in the industry and plans to highlight that in their potential discussions in the meetings. This contrasts with the current Campus Life movie screenings that take place throughout the semester. Campus Life screens recently released blockbusters while the Classic Cinema Club plans to screen movies that have already been released, going all the way back to the classic Hollywood era of the ‘40s and ‘50s.
The organization’s active membership is open to all University students and members do not need to pay dues this semester. The Classic Cinema Club encourages anyone interested in learning about the cultural impact of American films to join the club, and hopes to educate future generations about classic movies.
“We are screening these movies for free to give students the opportunity to appreciate these movies that they might not have had the opportunity to see,” Balhoff said.

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