Western Mass. Library Advocates One-Blog

Friends of the UMass Amherst Libraries Hosts

“READY WHEN YOU ARE CHARLIE BROWN!

WAR STORIES FROM BEHIND THE LENS”

Emmy Award Winning Producer, Director, Actor

~ Michael Haley ’65 ~

On Saturday, October 1, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Friends of the UMass Amherst Libraries will host the 13th Annual Fall Reception on the Lower Level of the Du Bois Library at UMass Amherst.  The keynote speaker, Michael Haley ’65, will give a talk, “Ready When You Are Charlie Brown! War Stories from Behind the Lens.”  Emmy Award-winning producer, director, and actor, Michael Haley has had a 40-year career in the film industry, starting in the late ’60s after he graduated from UMass Amherst. The program starts at 2:30 p.m.; the event is free and open to the public.  Reservations are appreciated.  To RSVP, call (413) 545-0995 or email friends@library.umass.edu. 

Haley has been recognized many times over for his impressive body of work, receiving numerous awards.  His films include Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), Closer (2004), Angels in America (2003), Joe Somebody (2001), What Planet Are You From? (2000), Primary Colors (1998), Groundhog Day (1993), and A League of Their Own (1992).  He was nominated as Best Actor for his role in Wilde Irish Women at the Dundalk, Ireland Theater Festival in 2004.  The list of directors that Haley has worked with includes Sidney Lumet, Sidney Pollock, Barry Levinson, Penny Marshall, Harold Ramis, and Mike Nichols. He has also worked with some of Hollywood’s premier actors and actresses, such as Katherine Hepburn, Harrison Ford, Meryl Streep, and Tom Hanks.

Haley recently donated his papers to the UMass Amherst Libraries.  Reflecting a distinguished career in film, the collection consists of scripts, photographs, memorabilia, diaries, notes, and correspondence.  There are over 100 scripts, for films ranging from the Godfather II to Charlie Wilson’s War and Angels in America.

Haley is currently writing a book about his career in the film industry and lives in Conway, Massachusetts.

As part of the fall reception program, Robert Potash, member of the Friends of the Library Board of Trustees, will be honored with the 2011 Siegfried Feller Award for Outstanding Service.  This award, established in 1998, is given annually to an individual who has made outstanding volunteer contributions to create awareness and build support for the UMass Amherst Libraries.

UMass Catering will provide refreshments.  A selection of DVDs of Haley’s films will be available for sale by the University Store.