On the Irish Waterfront: The Real-Life Story Behind the Movie Classic

The Scotch Plains Public Library will host a lecture and book signing by James T. Fisher, on Wednesday, Mar at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Fisher, Professor of Theology and American Studies at Fordham University, will a speak about the events he chronicles in his recent book, On the Irish Waterfront: The Crusader, the Movie, and the Soul of the Port of New York.

Find out the real-life stories of the lives lived, the fortunes made, and the crime that was rampant on the docks of New York in the century spanning the Civil War through the 1940's. Learn about the hardworking lives of dockworkers, their exploitation by Tammany Hall politicians and mobsters and the crusading struggle of Father John M. "Pete" Corridan, Jesuit priest and master tactician, to clean up the docks. Come and hear the back story to Elia Kazan's groundbreaking 1954 film from an author who has spent years researching both the New York and Hollywood threads of a fascinating tale. The author will answer audience questions and sign books after his lecture. Books will be available for purchase.

This program is free and open to all interested participants. Attendees are encouraged to register through the library's website:http://www.scotlib.org or by phone: 908-322-5007, x.204 or e-mail library@scotlib.org .