American Cinematheque Presentation

American Cinematheque Presentation - October 18, 2009

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Evening at the American Cinematheque

October 18, 2009 was the 87th anniversary of the opening of Grauman's Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, and as part of the festivities the American Cinematheque and Art Deco Society of Los Angeles hosted a special Karl Dane retrospective. On November 5, 1925, Karl's best known film, THE BIG PARADE, premiered at the beautiful theater, so it was a fitting location for a special screening of PARADE, with live musical accompaniment by the incomparable Robert Israel. Laura gave a lecture on the life and career of Karl, followed by a book signing of her new bio, just released by McFarland in August!

Thanks to Margot Gerber of the American Cinematheque and the Art Deco Society for the wonderful opportunity, to Chris Launi for all the generous help with the presentation!

Laura outside Grauman's Egyptian Theater the night before her talk.

Before the presentation, Sara Henderson and Karie Bible were kind enough to take Laura and Dan on a tour of Hollywood Forever cemetery. Karie is the official tour guide of the cemetery and Sara is interpreter at the famed Hollywood Barn. Their knowledge of Hollywood and its history is simply first rate! Thanks ladies!

For lunch, members of the Art Deco Society and the American Cinematheque made Laura and Dan feel right at home in Hollywood by treating them to lunch at the famed Pig n Whistle restaurant right next to the theater. Try the Portobello burger! (From left, John Thomas, Laura, Dan, and Margot Gerber).

Laura delivering her talk at the theater.

Laura in the lobby signing Valerie's book after the lecture. Notice the faux hieroglyphic art beyond the glass doors from 1922, the year Howard Carter discovered Tutankamun's tomb. Thanks to BookSoup in LA, which provided great assistance at the book signing.

Dan with Hala Pickford, the creator of the terrific Forget the Talkies blog. It was Hala who pitched the idea of having Laura speak at Grauman's to the Art Deco Society, of which she's a member. Thanks Hala!

Chris Launi and John Thomas.