Los Angeles is a movie town; even the city has produced its own flicks, ones that have documented some big moments, including John F. Kennedy’s 1962 visit to LA. (It was on that same trip that he dipped into the Santa Monica Bay and was swarmed by admirers, some of them who chased him into the water fully clothed.)
But these city-produced movies have, for the most part, been stowed away, out of the public eye, until now.
A range of titles produced by various city departments, including the LADP and public works, from 1926 to 1970 will be screened Sunday afternoon at the beautiful Central Library in Downtown to show off, "a side of Los angeles mostly unknown to the general public."
The films from the city’s archive, which were recently converted to a digital format, also capture Mayor Yorty being sworn in on the steps of City Hall in 1961 and the World Champion Dodgers in 1960.
The city’s archivest, Michael Holland, tells Curbed he’s been surprised by the number of people interested in the films. "Their curiosity proves that there is value to these materials and they are worth preserving," he said.
Here’s what else he says you can expect to see at Sunday’s screening:
The event, which starts at 2 p.m. and is hosted by the by Los Angeles City Historical Society, is free and open to the public. Click here for more details.