In late 1965, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) joined forces with the University of California Los Angeles Theater Arts Department to create the ATAS/UCLA Television Library. Three years later, members of the Film Department faculty founded the Film Archive. Later, in 1976, when Robert Rosen was named director of both organizations, UCLA Film & Television Archive was established as a joint venture. Then in 1977, the Archive expanded in order to screen a variety of films for the general public, achieving a national reputation for its exhibition of Hollywood classics and works of international cinema. That’s a history of nearly forty years.
Today, the UCLA Film & Television Archive is the second largest moving image archive in the United States only after the Library of Congress. It is also the world’s largest university-based media archive, second to none. So why not take advantage of its vast resources and see what’s playing there. That’s right, you can actually see movies from the archive, at the archive. And according to noted critic and acclaimed historian Leonard Maltin, “the Archive is a vital part of the Los Angeles film scene and world-class contributor to the cause of film preservation." Who could possibly ask for more of an incentive to explore the vast history of motion pictures?
Well, if you do need more incentive, then I encourage you to use the image above as a link to the archive’s website where you can check out the upcoming schedule. Be sure to make the site one of your internet bookmarks, because with the kind of resources this institution has available, there’s no doubt you’ll be able to find something to inspire a trip to the west side of LA for a movie night sometime very soon. I’m sure you’ll want to thank me, but no gratuity is necessary. Just tell them I sent you. It won’t get you in for free, but I’d like them to know I’m spreading the love.