If you are a classic film fan, you often hear about these older films being “preserved” or “newly restored.” After a while you might ask yourself just who it is that restores these films to the quality you are enjoying. Chances are good that the answer to that question is University of California, Los Angeles’s Film and Television Archive.
UCLA’s Archive comprises one of the largest media collections in the United States with over 220,000 film and television titles, according to its Web site. UCLA’s Archive also has a preservation program that has already successfully preserved almost 300 films.
Why is this so important? Until 1950, movies were produced on nitrate cellulose film, a material which eventually turns to dust. Half of the films made before 1950 have already disappeared completely. And films made after 1950 are made on a new type of film which is better, but discolors after time. This means that part of American cinema and culture is quickly fading away.
The good news is that programs like UCLA’s are working to preserve and restore these films so that cinephiles can continue learning from and enjoying these classic movies.
Even better news is that you can enjoy classic films right on the UCLA campus. As part of its “Archive Treasures” series, UCLA’s Archive screens movies from its extensive collection and on May 21st it will showcase the 1939 film “Midnight.”
For more information on the UCLA Archive’s film screenings, visit its Web site for upcoming events.
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