At the heart of every absorbing novel, movie, song, university course, and even conversation with friends is storytelling. We all have stories to tell, but some people excel in this art of communication such that their words and work grab our attention, stay in our memories, and have a positive impact on our lives. Two-time Emmy Award-winner and San Francisco Bay Times columnist Jan Wahl is this sort of individual, who is every much a star and personality as the performers, filmmakers, and writers she celebrates in her work, which includes teaching at the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning at the University of San Francisco.
Instructing adult students, Wahl crafts rich courses centered on golden-age Hollywood, pioneering filmmakers, iconic character performers, and focused explorations of genres like film noir and political thrillers. Leveraging her background as a San Francisco State alumna and former Hollywood documentary producer, she presents lectures that seamlessly blend insider studio lore with thoughtful, approachable analysis.
Her latest class, which will begin this fall, is no exception. As Wahl shares in this issue, it will concern “Songs, Supporting Players, and Scandals in American Film.” Last year, she incorporated favorite dance moments from iconic films into her course, and soon she will be exploring songs. “Singin’ in the Rain” comes to mind, as she joyfully mentions it in her longstanding voicemail; even something as usually mundane as a phone recording becomes a work of art in Wahl’s world.
Easily recognized by her trademark hats and quick-witted movie commentary, Wahl remains a celebrated staple of Northern California media. While many know her from her decades of broadcasts on outlets like KRON-TV and KGO Radio, the veteran film critic and entertainment historian continues to channel her extensive Hollywood background into her thriving career as an educator.
Outside of conventional university classrooms, Wahl developed a custom course titled “Critical Thinking of the Mass Media,” delivering it across academic institutions, civic groups, and corporate workshops. The program prompted participants to look past simple entertainment to examine how media narratives influence societal values, power structures, and cultural trends. Through this strong emphasis on media literacy, she empowered audiences to thoughtfully deconstruct news coverage, cinematic works, and modern digital messaging. Her spirited, dialogue-driven teaching approach sparks lively debate, prompting attendees to consider what their personal movie tastes reveal about their own lives.
Over decades spent as an instructor and speaker, Wahl has deeply influenced how local audiences appreciate the big screen. By fusing rich historical insight with an unbridled enthusiasm for movies, she turns every presentation into an inspiring lesson on the craft of storytelling. Ultimately, her educational legacy rests on fostering a sharper, more cinema-literate public.
Read more about Wahl’s new class and other Fromm courses this fall season in the catalog at: https://bit.ly/4q6WQuU
Off the Wahl
Published on August 13, 2026
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