Goodbye, Columbus must be counted among that class of generation-defining films that includes The Graduate, Summer of ’42, The Last Picture Show, and The Paper Chase. Released in the spring of 1969, Larry Peerce’s adaptation of Philip Roth’s satirical novella about middle-class Jewish-Americans struck a nerve with youngsters who were beginning to question the values of their postwar suburban existences. It launched the careers of Ali MacGraw and Richard Benjamin and earned screenwriter Arnold Shulman an Oscar nomination. Jack Klugman is exceptionally fine as MacGraw’s affluent father. Peerce, Benjamin, and MacGraw will appear in person to reflect on the film’s legacy. It’s all part of Laemmle’s perpetual, essential Anniversary Classics series.

Laemmle Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, Fri., Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m.; $13. (310) 478-3836, laemmle.com.

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