College of the Canyons will host a Jack Oakie Film Festival designed to celebrate the artistic achievements of Jack and Victoria Oakie, while assisting students interested in applying for a prestigious Oakie scholarship award.

The Jack Oakie Film Festival will take place from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, in the College of the Canyons cinema room, located on the Valencia campus in Hasley Hall, Room 101.

The event will feature a 4:30 p.m. screening of the film “Tin Pan Alley” starring Jack Oakie, followed by a 6:30 p.m. showing of “Harvey” starring Victoria Horne Oakie.

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Prior to the screening of “Harvey” at 6:30 p.m., COC theatre instructor Leigh Kennicott will provide insights and commentary about both films.

“The College of the Canyons Foundation is very grateful to the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Trust Foundation for its support of our students,” said Michele Edmonson, College of the Canyons Foundation assistant director of development. “We are extremely happy to have an opportunity to celebrate the Oakie legacy through this film festival.”

2010 marks the fourth year The Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation Trust will award $10,000 in scholarship awards to students studying the Fine and Performing Arts at COC.

The primary criterion for the Oakie scholarship awards is for students to watch a Jack Oakie or Victoria Horne Oakie film and critique the film from the perspective of a scriptwriter, a director, an actor, a comedian, a singer or a dancer.  

Students interested in applying for an Oakie scholarship award may pick up an application packet in Pico Hall, Room 112 located on the college’s Valencia campus.

Application forms can also be downloaded from the COC theatre website at www.canyons.edu/departments/theatre/links.htm. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15.

About the Oakies

Jack Oakie’s film career was remarkably prolific during a turbulent time in American history. He worked steadily in the film industry from 1927 through the 1940s, and was on contract at Paramount Studios from 1929 to 1934. His career spanned many decades and encompassed stage, film, radio, and later, television.

Oakie appeared in 87 films and was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Dictator of Bacteria in the 1940 Charlie Chaplin film “The Great Dictator.”

Both Jack and Victoria were actors and long time residents of the San Fernando Valley — known for being philanthropists and humanitarians throughout their lives. Continuing their legacy of giving, The Oakie Charitable Foundation trustees remain dedicated to the couple’s wishes; “Give the money to the kids!”

For more information about the College of the Canyons Oakie Film Festival or how to apply for an Oakie scholarship award please contact the COC Foundation at (661) 362-3737.