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Parking, Ltd. (1949)
The Southern Branch of the University of California—now known as UCLA—was established on May 23, 1919. The university may have evolved dramatically over the course of its 100 years, but there are some things that never change, as illustrated by these two UCLA student-made films held by the UCLA Film & Television Archive:
Parking, Ltd. (1949)
“Do you like jam for breakfast? Jam, the California brand? Yes, sir, at UCLA we have all kinds and varieties of jam.” Produced by a student workshop led by George Julian Sinclair, Parking, Ltd. is a humorous look at the often daunting task of finding a parking spot and navigating traffic jams around UCLA. See glimpses of campus, vintage cars and fashions, and the open fields of a not-yet developed Westwood.
University U.S.A. (1950)
Directed and co-written by Bruce Bilson, who later helmed such popular TV comedies as Get Smart (which earned him an Emmy Award in 1968) and Hogan's Heroes, University U.S.A. offers a day-in-the-life portrait of a freshman and the highs and lows of campus life. Narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Van Heflin, the film is a tour of the university's oldest Romanesque structures, including Royce Hall, Powell Library and the Chemistry Building (Kaplan Hall), which were completed in 1929. Thanks to director Bruce Bilson, the Archive was recently able to combine its 16mm negative with the missing sound track.
Toast to Our Brother (1951)
Story follows a student (Tom Graeff) as he worries and wonders what joining a fraternity is all about. Cameo by Joe E. Brown, who gives a speech to the frat boys.
Learn more about the Archive's efforts to preserve and exhibit UCLA student films.
Learn more about the history of UCLA and upcoming centennial celebrations.
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