Ohio Goes to the Movies (Thurber Film Screening at the Wexner Center)
As part of Ohio Goes to the Movies (a statewide celebration showcasing films connected to Ohio stories, creators, and cultural history), audiences are invited to experience James Thurber’s work on the big screen!
Hosted by the Wexner Center for the Arts, this program pairs a screening of the feature film The Male Animal (1942) with the beloved animated short The Unicorn in the Garden (1953).
The Male Animal features Henry Fonda as a popular professor at Midwestern University who is facing dismissal for his outspoken views. Based on Thurber’s Broadway play, the film highlights Central Ohio locales and unfolds during homecoming weekend—featuring a match against Ohio State rival Michigan.
Produced by United Productions of America, the animated classic The Unicorn in the Garden brings to life Thurber’s short story about a browbeaten husband who discovers the unthinkable in his backyard.
Thurber House is proud to support the evening, with docent Steve Andersson introducing each film. His remarks will highlight James Thurber’s life, his influence on American humor, and his deep roots in Columbus.

