As the California State Park system struggles with financial shortfalls, perhaps Hollywood should come to the rescue.
Hollywood, after all, has utilized the state park system as a setting for countless film and TV projects over the years. That's the point of this weekend's California State Park Film Festival, to be held at the Paramount lot.
Event, sponsored by the California State Parks Foundation and UCLA Film and Television Archive, includes "The Adventures of Robin Hood" at 1:30 p.m. and "Star Trek IV, The Voyage Home" at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Then on Sunday, the movies screened are "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" at 1:30 p.m. and "Vertigo" at 4:30 p.m. Details:
Did you know that Hollywood has been using state parks for locations since 1910? Beginning with the silent film Ramona starring Mary Pickford. The partnership continues to this day providing both world wide entertainment and great economic benefit to California.
As part of the California State Parks Foundation's (CSPF) 40th Anniversary Celebration, CSPF has organized a film series for both Hollywood and Sacramento.
At both events, there will be special screenings for families, evening screenings, original archival prints and programs that will include food, entertainment and Paramount studio tours in Los Angeles. All CSPF members as well as the general public are invited.
Following "Star Trek IV, The Voyage Home" on Saturday, join us for a Q&A hosted by Leonard Nimoy who plays Dr. Spock in the film. Dave Smith, Disney historian will be available for commentary following "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" on Sunday and Steve Rebello, award-winning author and journalist and a life-long student and historian of the works of Alfred Hitchcock will be available for commentary following "Vertigo" on Sunday evening.
A few of the films - shot in whole or in part in state parks - include:
The Birds, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Planet of the Apes, Gone With The Wind, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Andromeda Strain, High Noon, Beaches, Spartacus, How Green Was My Valley, How The West Was Won, East of Eden, Basic Instinct, Rambo III, The Graduate, Unforgiven, Jurassic Park, The Birds, Star Trek IV and VI, Star Trek (2009), The Ten Commandments, Back To The Future, Part III, High Plains Drifter, Gidget, Lassie Come Home, The Scorpion King, The Candidate, Ben Hur (1925), Treasure Island (1950), and hundreds more.
The foundation notes that "twice in the past two years, state parks were on the brink of being shut down. Only last-minute budget reprieves kept them open. But nearly 60 state parks will be shut down part-time or their hours of operation reduced because of this year's budget cuts, and more park closure proposals and budget cuts are expected next year."
Price for the event is $19 for adults and $9 for children. Popcorn is included.
