Desk Set
Desk Set
Post-screening Q&A with author Claire L. Evans, Electronic Resources Librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library Eileen Ybarra, and Associate Director of Reference and Public Services at the Margaret Herrick Library Elizabeth Youle.
Network television research librarian Bunny Watson (Katharine Hepburn) finds her job threatened when efficiency expert Richard Sumner (Spencer Tracy) becomes fixated on replacing the all-female department with cutting-edge computing technology. For the movie’s fictional “EMMARAC” system, IBM provided early supercomputer prototypes to Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, which are impressively captured by cinematographer Leon Shamroy’s CinemaScope lensing. At its core a workplace comedy and a battle between two genders (and Tracy and Hepburn’s eighth of nine films together), Desk Set also eerily forecasts the increased digitization and consolidation of certain careers while interrogating the capitalistic motivations behind workplace efficiency measures.
To discuss the rich history of women and technology, we’re pleased to be joined by a panel of guests, including Claire L. Evans, author of the book Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet, Eileen Ybarra, Electronic Resources Librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library, and Elizabeth Youle, Associate Director of Reference and Public Services at the Margaret Herrick Library.
Back to Main Series
Film Program
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Young Soul Rebels
Los Angeles Restoration Premiere. In person: Isaac Julien.
Film Program
Guillermo del Toro presents Pan’s Labyrinth
Screening includes a conversation with Guillermo del Toro, cinematographer Guillermo Navarro, and actor Doug Jones.
Film Program
The Big Chill
Honoring executive producer Marcia Nasatir. Introduction by writer-director Lawrence Kasdan, Scott Feinberg, Lucy Fisher, Piper Laurie, Anne Goursaud, and Mike Medavoy
Film Program
Poetic Justice
Opening with the title card, “Once upon a time in South Central Los Angeles,” writer-director John Singleton’s sophomore feature Poetic Justice blends tragedy with romance for a searing portrait of a community rebuilding from the ashes.
Film Program
Sat, Jun 11, 2022
A Trip to the Moon and Other Trips through Time and Space…with Serge Bromberg
Serge Bromberg introduces his most astounding discoveries and accompanies them on the piano, honoring the way they were first presented.
Film Program
Saturday, July 30th 2022
The Last Unicorn
40th Anniversary Screening. In-person: screenwriter and author Peter S. Beagle and producer Michael Chase Walker.
Film Program
Friday, January 27, 2023
Losing Ground @ 40
Introduction remarks by Nina Collins. Post-screening conversation with Julie Dash - Filmmaker, Dr. Jacqueline Stewart - Director and President of the Academy Museum, and Dr. Ariel Stevenson - Assistant Professor at USC.
Film Program
Thursday, February 9, 2023
The Blue Rose of Forgetfulness
United States Premiere. Special guest: Introduction by director Lewis Klahr.
Film Program
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
2 Fast 2 Furious
Special guests: Post-screening conversation with Tyrese Gibson - actor, Neal Moritz - Producer/USC alumnus, Derek Haas - Co-Writer, Bobbi Banks and Greg Hedgepath - Supervising Sound Editors, and Warren Drummond - Storyboard Artist. Moderated by Manouchka Labouba - Academy Museum Research Assistant.
Film Program
Friday, March 17, 2023
Lee Unkrich Presents The Shining
Special guest: Introduction and presentation by Lee Unkrich - director, animator and author of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining
Film Program
Thu, Jun 23, 2022
Making Love
40th Anniversary Screening. Q&A with A. Scott Berg, Barry Sandler, and Harry Hamlin.
Film Program
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
An Evening with Arnold Schwarzenegger
Marking the release of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s limited edition two-volume book published by TASCHEN, join us for an evening celebrating Schwarzenegger’s life, accomplishments, and history of unforgettable performances.
Film Program
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King —20th Anniversary Screening
Museum Members-Only Screening. Free for Museum Members.