Classic film fans, get ready to curl up and reminisce about the good old days with high school student Kelsey Eckert in a lively film discussion Wednesday at Peters Township Public Library.

A Canon-McMillan High School junior, Kelsey, 16, of North Strabane, defies the notion that all teenagers live for video games and a menu of action fantasy movies.

Although she enjoys Harry Potter and other contemporary books and films, Kelsey prefers classic films for their timeless appeal.

"I think they're simpler," she said. "They have a purer way of telling a story."

Kelsey will host the new Classic Film Series, which begins Wednesday and continues on Feb. 20, and will begin again in March on a date to be announced.

Kelsey studies each film and prepares thought-provoking questions and discussion points.

The film to be featured Wednesday will be "The Thin Man," based on a detective novel by Dashiell Hammett. The 1934 movie version stars William Powell and Myrna Loy and is set in New York City during prohibition.

After viewing the film, parts of the discussion will focus on how much the movie was influenced by the Depression, and the liberal take on alcoholism threaded throughout the story line.

"I think today it would be a bigger deal," Kelsey said of the excessive drinking by main character Nick Charles, who is portrayed by Mr. Powell.

Kelsey said her favorite classic actress and actor are Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant. Grant stars in next month's featured film, "An Affair to Remember."

Kelsey said she first became enamored of classic films during a television series of the 100 best films of all time.

She's seen about one-third of the films during the past few years and plans to eventually see them all.

She also plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh or the University of Pennsylvania to study film.

"It's what I love," she said.

Admission is free, and those interested are asked to register at the library's circulation desk or by calling 724-941-9430.

The library is at 616 E. McMurray Road.