Jack Oakie

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

The 2011 installment of the Jack Oakie Film Series will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, in the College of the Canyons cinema room, Hasley Hall, Room 101, located on the college’s Valencia campus.

The event will feature a screening of the 1932 comedy “Million Dollar Legs” starring Jack Oakie and W.C. Fields, and a special lecture about Jack Oakie’s many contributions to the world of cinema presented by guest speaker Randy Haberkamp, director of Educational Programs and Special Projects at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

“The College of the Canyons Foundation is very grateful to the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Trust Foundation for its continued support of our students,” said Michele Edmonson, College of the Canyons Foundation director of development. “We are honored to have the opportunity to celebrate the Oakie legacy through this annual film series, and look forward to hearing Mr. Haberkamp’s insights on the life and career of this extraordinary individual.”

In 2011 The Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation Trust will award $11,000 in scholarship awards to students studying the Fine and Performing Arts at College of the Canyons.

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.

Application forms and complete award criteria can be downloaded from the COC theatre website at http://www.canyons.edu/departments/theatre/oakie.htm. Application packets may also be picked up in Pico Hall, Room 112, located on the college’s Valencia campus. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14.

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 Jack Oakie Film Series or how to apply for an Oakie scholarship award, call the COC Foundation at 661-362-3737.