Arnold ’91 Writes Companion to Turner Classic Movies “Essentials” Series

Jeremy Arnold ’91, author, film historian and longtime contributor to Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is the author of The Essentials: 52 Must-See Movies and Why They Matter, recently published in collaboration with Running Press and Turner Classic Movies.

A graduate of the Film Studies Department at Wesleyan, Arnold credits Professor Jeanine Basinger as instrumental in his work, both researching and writing the book. “I took five courses with Professor Basinger and she was the best teacher I ever had. She remains a close friend to this day,” he said.

The book serves as a companion to TCM’s weekly on-air “Essentials” series, hosted by Robert Osborne and others, which showcases the most influential and impactful movies ever made. Arnold made an appearance at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood to introduce two screenings, and on Sunday, May 15, at 8 and 10 p.m. EDT, Arnold also will be appearing on TCM, to discuss the book and introduce a James Cagney double feature of White Heat (1949) and Footlight Parade (1933).