Lost & Found at the Movies: LA on Film

Featuring Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan and film historian Marc Wanamaker with series curator John Nein, Senior Programmer, Sundance Film Festival
Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 | 7:30pm Mark Taper Auditorium-Central Library

Lost & Found at the Movies is the Library Foundation’s new series celebrating the art of cinema and the vitality of film culture. Eclectic in theme and varying in form, this onstage magazine explores how we lose ourselves and find ourselves at the movies.

In this fourth installment, join Nein, Turan, and Wanamaker as they explore the ways that Los Angeles has appeared in film over the years from the very first few images of the silent era, to the suburban noir, to the blockbuster “disaster” films. Afterwards, Turan will sign copies of his newest book, Not to be Missed: Fifty-Four Favorites From a Lifetime of Film.

Marc Wanamaker

Marc Wanamaker

Marc Wanamaker is a native of Los Angeles and grew-up in West Hollywood/Beverly Hills. His interests have always been directed to history and more pointedly the history of Los Angeles and the motion picture and television industries. Over the years he has been working in many aspects of film and television production, exhibition and research as well as being a world expert in film history. Wanamaker is affiliated with the Los Angeles County Museum, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, USC, UCLA and other universities and colleges nationally as well as with the Los Angeles Public Library, Petersen Automotive Museum and many various archives. Wanamaker is associated with many local historical societies such as past president of both Hollywood Heritage and the Los Angeles City Historical Society and others. He is an author who specializes in Southern California history as well as the history of the motion picture and television industries. His books include; Early Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills 1930-2005, Early Hollywood, Hollywood 1920-2007, Westwood, Griffith Park, Theatres of Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Location Filming in Los Angeles, Early Warner Brothers Studio, Early Paramount Studio, Los Angeles Past and Present, Hollywood Past and Present. He is currently appearing and contributing to many television films and documentary films internationally, presenting lectures and programs, writing articles for various magazines and research-consulting on feature and documentary films.

Kenneth Turan

Kenneth Turan

Kenneth Turan is film critic for the Los Angeles Times and NPR’s Morning Edition as well as the director of the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. He has been a staff writer for the Washington Post and TV Guideand the Times’ book review editor. A graduate of Swarthmore College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, he is the coauthor of “Call Me Anna: The Autobiography of Patty Duke.” He teaches film reviewing and non-fiction writing at USC and is on the board of directors of the National Yiddish Book Center. His books include Sundance to Sarajevo: Film Festivals and the World They Madeas well as Never Coming to a Theater Near You and Now In Theaters Everywhere. His latest book is Not to be Missed: Fifty-Four Favorites from a Lifetime of Film.

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.