Hollywood's Magical Island Catalina October 10, 2006

BAKERSFIELD ADULT SCHOOL
Cultural Studies Program
PRESENTS
THE NATION'S LEADING FILM PRODUCERS WITH LIVE NARRATION
OPEN FORUM TRAVEL
SERIES
DAY: Tuesday
TIME: 4:00 p.m.-6:00p.m. & 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
For more information call: (661) 871-0146



"Hollywood's Magical Island-Catalina" with Chuck Liddell

Hollywood's Secret Playground Of The Stars.

Through The Remarkable Eye of first time film director, Greg Reitman, we get a first hand glimpse of Hollywood's Magic Isle. While exploring historical, social, and environmental changes, the film captures the mystical splendors, natural beauty and romance of Santa Catalina Island.

Using a mix of rare 16mm, archival film and old black and white stills, inter-cut with interviews of islanders, historians and celebities; the viewer is taken on a journey during america's golden era. It begins with the acquisition of the Santa Catalina Island Company in 1919 led by William Wrigley, Jr. He set a course for Catalina's future in the world of art, sports, music and entertainment that was unmatched in US history even through present day.

The film documents architectural achievements, many are first of a kind buildings and innovations that transformed Catalina from a simple island into a modern day state-of-the-art playground. The film highlights many of the individuals including stars of the Big Band Era, Marilyn Monroe, and the island's role as Hollywood's secret playground for the stars. The island even played a role in helping to elect a President.

We witness the island's tragedy and heartache-deftly captured in the film with heartfelt interviews and a score that tugs at the emotions. Utilizing interviews with Jean-Michel Cousteau, heirs of the Wrigley family, residents and visitors of the island; we learn of William Wrigley, Jr's dream of preserving the island's natural beauty as well as providing a magical place for all to enjoy. The film concludes with Art Good Jazz Trax, Fender's Catalina Island Blues Festival, and a visual kaleidoscope of modern day Catalina Island as an ecological paradise highlighting the revival of the island as a place of leisure and entertainment.

Located less than twenty miles from our coast, Catalina Island has 76 square miles of broad valleys, isolated coves, 2,000 foot peaks, and near vertical shoreline palisades. This diverse habitat is home to thousands of species of unique native plants and animals. Of these, fifteen are found nowhere else in the world. Since its rediscovery by early European explorers Catalina has served as a cattle ranch, mining operation, and tourist destination. In the early 20th century Catalina was purchased by William Wrigley, Jr. From that time, stewardship, protection and beautification began to take priority over consumption. In 1975 about 88% of the island came under the Catalina Island Conservancy.

Chuck Liddell lives on Catalina Island and is a docent at the Catalina Island Museum. He was born on the island and has spent most of his life there, considered as the historian on the Island. Mr. Liddell has contributed to over 10 books on different aspects of Catalina history as well as having made a movie entitled "Hollywood's Magical Island - Catalina."

Official Website: http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/7640/basopenforum.html