[img]1236|left|||no_popup[/img]The Backlot Film Festival opens this evening at 7:30 in Culver City with a Meet ‘n Greet at the 4 Points by Sheraton Hotel, Green Valley Circle.
Screenings for the next four days of the Backlot start Thursday at the Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana, Santa Monica (backlotfilmfestival.com)
One of the major highlights of the five-day festival will be Sunday’s 2 o’clock premiere screening of “Culver City — The Reel Hollywood” at the Aero Theatre.
“Culver City – The Reel Hollywood” documents the true origins of three of the most famous and prolific motion picture studios in the world.
The documentary reveals that while publicity mavens touted “Made In Hollywood” for their studios' product, it was in Culver City that studio mogul Thomas Ince built two studios that later became MGM, RKO, Selznick Studios, Cecil B. De Mille Studios, DesiLu and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Even Hal Roach built his “Laugh Factory” in Culver City where Laurel and Hardy, the Little Rascals, Harold Lloyd and countless other film legends entertained the world for more than half a century.
The sixty-minute documentary is introduced and narrated by veteran actor, John Kerr, who was under contract to MGM in the 1950s and starred in “Tea and Sympathy” and South Pacific.”
Featured in this fascinating look at the little town where over half of all American films were made before 1955, is rare film footage of Cecil B. De Mille, Ince, Roach, Laurel & Hardy, and the Little Rascals along with never-before-seen interviews with luminaries like Red Skelton, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Anne Carre, and Stan Laurel's daughter, Lois Laurel Hawes.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.backlotfilmfestival.com.
Out-of-town festival patrons who wish accommodations may obtain a special film festival guest rate at the 4 Points by Sheraton by calling Ross Hawkins at 310.204.6920 or emailing him at rjhculvercity@aol.com
