Harold Lloyd in "Hot Water" is one of the dozens of rare and recently restored films on the line-up for Cinecon 48.
"Film students love to watch Harold Lloyd films," said Bryan Cooper of the Cinecon Film Committee. "We've reached out to a lot of the local schools to get film students here to see these films on the big screen. I think it makes all the difference in the world."
"We're going to be running films that haven't been seen, in some cases, since they were first seen in theatres," said Taffel.
Cooper and Taffel are two of the driving forces behind Cinecon. Among this year's choices are some classic comedy from Laurel and Hardy.
"Those films have every reason to be seen today and never get a chance to, and that's why UCLA is taking the time to preserve as many of the original camera negatives as possible," said Taffel.
Among this year's festival honorees are: Carlton Carpenter, plus actress Phyllis Coates and director Richard Bare, who made the "Joe McDoakes" shorts together.
"Richard Bare was directing her in these shorts way back when. They have not seen each other in, like, 50 years, so we're reuniting them," said Cooper.
They're also honoring Jane Withers and Marsha Hunt, who made "Gentle Julia" in 1936. Both will attend. So will honoree Samatha Eggar, who starred with Cary Grant in his last movie, "Walk Don't Run."
"We do this festival for five days a year but it takes 12 months to put on," said Taffel.
Cooper said the Egyptian Theatre is the best venue in Hollywood for the festival.
Cinecon 48 runs Thursday night through Monday afternoon.
