Loading Events

By his own admission, John Landis is a film geek. His love of cinema started when he was a kid and encompasses everything from Laurel & Hardy to Disney, from Bunuel to B-movies, from monsters and fantasy to animation and musicals. This robust passion for an array of genres goes a long way toward explaining the subversive, genre-bending spirit that makes his work distinctive. As Guillermo del Toro wrote of him, “One genre at a time is not enough to contain his enthusiasm.”

Constantly upending convention and reinventing genres, Landis began his career in the Fox mailroom at the dusk of the studio system. In addition to making Kentucky Fried Movie, Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Trading Places, ¡Three Amigos!, Coming to America, An American Werewolf in London, Innocent Blood, “Masters of Horror” as well as the “Thriller” music video and the documentary Slasher, about used car salesman, he has also starred as a gorilla, sent Raquel Welch’s bra to Vietnam, been killed by Toshiro Mifune, written the book Monsters in Movies and shared his infectious love of film through countless book forwards and documentary interviews.

Just as a single genre can’t contain his enthusiasm, nor can a single hour. But we’ll see what happens.


Lost & Found at the Movies is generously supported by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

John Landis

John Landis

A legendary director, John Landis is best known for his comedies, which include National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978), The Blues Brothers (1980), An American Werewolf in London (1981), Trading Places (1983), ¡Three Amigos! (1986), Coming to America (1988), and Burke & Hare (2010). Branching out into television, Landis was Executive Producer of the HBO comedy Dream On in the early 1990s. More recently, Landis directed the Emmy Award-winning documentary Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project.


John Nein

John Nein

John Nein is a senior programmer at the Sundance Film Festival and deals primarily with US and international feature films. He also plans the festival’s panels and runs the Institute’s film preservation initiative. John grew up in Europe and the United States, studied history at Carleton College and earned his MFA from UCLA’s Film Directing program, where he made several award-winning shorts and lobbied tirelessly for better coffee in the vending machines.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does Lost & Found at the Movies cost to attend?

    Lost & Found at the Movies is free to attend.

  • Can I attend if I’m not a Member?

    While priority notification is given to LFLA Members, non-Members are welcome to attend if space allows. However, the complimentary reception following the program is limited to Members.

  • Do I have to make a reservation?

    Reservations are recommended, as our programs often fill to capacity. Priority is given to reserved guests.

  • Can I attend even if I don’t have a reservation?

    Yes! We often have space available to accommodate walk-up guests without advanced reservations. Check our stand-by policy for more information.

  • Reservation Policy for Free Programs

    As Lost & Found at the Movies is free of charge, it is our policy to overbook. In the case of a FULL program your free reservation may not guarantee admission. We recommend arriving early. Unclaimed reservations will be released to standby patrons at the start of each program.

  • Standby Policy

    Standby numbers are distributed in person only one hour before the program, on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no advance wait list for full programs. Standby patrons will be admitted based on availability. Most programs will be available via podcast. Become a Member of the Library Foundation to receive priority notification of these programs.

  • Canceling a Reservation

    If you are unable to use your reservation, please email [email protected].

  • Where does Lost & Found at the Movies take place?

    Unless otherwise noted, Lost & Found at the Movies is held at the downtown Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium.

  • Where should I park for Lost & Found at the Movies?

    We recommend taking public transportation. Parking for the Central Library is at the Westlawn Garage at 524 S. Flower Street. For more information, visit the Library’s website.

  • Where do I purchase the speaker’s book?

    Occasionally a guest on Lost & Found at the Movies is touring with a book. Books are made available for purchase at programs or can be purchased while making your online reservation. In order to participate in the book signing, you must purchase at least one book.